Dhaka: Fed up with his team being treated as a laughing stock, Bangladesh cricket fan Khairul Islam smiles at the prospect of the superpower of the game that has the smile wiped from his face.
“The victory was sweet in itself, but it would taste even sweeter India, because they behave as if they were our big brother,” Islam said to watch the World Cup quarter-final on Thursday in Australia.
“People are tired of being despised, so thankfully now we finally have a team that is India of equals.”
After his sensational round victory over England in the group stage, Bangladesh face the biggest game in their history when they take on defending champions of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Having already made history by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time, Team Mashrafe Mortaza legendary status back home will be guaranteed if they can reach the semifinals.
The cricket-crazy country come to a virtual on Thursday, with many fans planning to watch on giant screens. Millions also attend the parties on game day, including Islam who plans to enjoy a feast of lamb curry in a dormitory at the University of Dhaka, while watching with friends.
India was the visitors when Bangladesh played their first ever Test match in Dhaka in 2000. But 15 years later, a return invitation has yet to materialize – a light that has become a source of resentment.
While it is not blind to the struggles of Bangladesh in Test cricket, fans have bristled at the condescending tone of some television commentators India.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, known for ridiculing regularly Cricket Bangladesh, has become a black beast among fans have even created a website that allows visitors practically whack former India opener with a shoe.
– ‘The biggest game in history “-
Bangladesh’s victory in India in the group stage of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean is considered the best team so far, but the risks are certainly louder this time.
“This is the biggest game of our cricket history. If we win the game, which will create the story and answer a lot of criticism,” said the former captain of Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu Bangladesh.
Tigers unexpected progress has served as a balm for a nation in the grip of violent political turmoil that has led to the loss of over 100 lives since the beginning of the year.
