Bangladesh cricket team playing in the UAE for the first time since 1995 turned out to be an occasion to celebrate for the massive Bangladesh community in this country.
Around 500,000 Bangladesh expats were on their toes following the Tigers’ arrival to Dubai for the six-nation Asia Cup and their excitement was quite visible when Bangladesh locked horn with Sri Lanka in the tournament opener at Dubai International Cricket Stadium Saturday.
At least 20,000 supporters poured into the DICS, located in the Dubai Sports City, for the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka game, among which, Bangladesh supporters dominated at least three quarters of the attendance.
The walkway towards the stadium was flooded with Bangladesh national colours in the shape of flags and jerseys.
Ashraful Islam is a cab driver working for the government-owned company in the UAE for the past 10 years. He is saddened for the fact that his rigorous rooster will now allow him to join the game, but he will have his ears on the radio while on duty.
Walking towards the stadium, this reporter met a group of young Bangladesh supporters. The group identified themselves as workers in different sectors and all had taken leave from duty to come and watch the Tigers in their crucial tournament opener.
“Few of us work in shopping malls, others in restaurants and shops. We miss Bangladesh and our home, given that we do not get to visit our country so often. The travel cost becomes expensive for us,” said Mohammad Shaheen, who lives in Dubai.
“There are many occasions when we get to see media celebrities visiting Dubai to attend concerts and programmes organised by the Bangladesh community. But this is the first time we are getting to see Bangladesh cricket team playing here. The occasion is huge for us,” he added.