New Delhi: How many times have we seen Bangladeshi cricket fans going back home with smile on face, toy tigers on their shoulder and drums still beating after their team losing expectedly. The answer is of course many a times.
Unlike Indian or Pakistani, Bangladeshi cricket fans are the ones in this sub continent who would stand by their heros even they if they fail to show stunts they are expected to. Indian and Pakistan fans would settle nothing but for a win.
They would not waste time in demolishing their “GODS” if they don't give them what they want over night.
On wednesday Canberra saw thousands of expat fans from the Cricket World Cup minnows descended on the nation's capital for Manuka Oval's opening night.
While the Afghanistan debut had nothing for their fans to chuff about but the atmosphere created by a sold-out crowd dominated by Bangladesh fans made it a success.
It was the Afghanis' first appearance on cricket's biggest stage and while the end result wasn't there after a 105-run loss, their journey alone was enough to keep their fans banging and chanting long into the night.
Every boundary was celebrated like it was the winning run.
There were large banks of empty seats, leaving the impression the Bangladesh community had turned up, along with the Afghans, but the Canberrans hadn't.
But it was clearly an event neither country playing wanted to miss, with fans driving from as far off places and fans were dressed to the nines - from the traditional dress of each participant to the odd Bangladeshi tiger.
Are Afghan fans disappointed…? No They got the see their heros in Mirwais Ashraf, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zardan and Aftab Alam giving tough time to Bangladeshi much more experienced batsmen some anxious moments.
Will Bangladeshi fans take the tigers off their back..? “NO”
Because they are there to support their team not expected to go beyond a certain limit, and to enjoy the cricket the way they have always.
