Dynamites players win heart of old-Dhaka fans

Star-studded Dhaka Dynamites players enthralled their local fans and residents of the old Dhaka with their physical presence and fun ‘golli cricket’ on the historical Lalbagh Fort premises yesterday. Omera LPG, sponsor of Dhaka Dynamites, organised the two hour-long fun cricket game to spread the cricket in golli to golli in Dhaka along with create awareness for the Dynamites so that they could mentally boost up in the next important matches of their BPL campaign.

Dynamites on Thursday took the initiative as they had no schedule of the BPL matches. Though it was drizzling across the country, it did not dampen the spirt of the players.
Braving the drizzle, they all came in en masse and entered the 17th century Lalbagh Fort premises one by one to meet the demand of local fans. Boom Boom Afridi and Shakib Al Hasan were the synosure of the fans. To see Afridi and Shakib getting down from the team bus, the fans shouted emphatically, naming Afridi and Shakib.

Thereafter, Kumar Sangakkara, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Evin Lewis, Kevin Kooper, Cameron Delport, Adil Rashid, Akeal Hosein, Ronsford Beaton, Joe Denly along with Shakib Al Hasan, Mosaddek Hosain Saikat, Abu Haider Rony, Mohammad Shohid, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Noor Alam Saddam, Mehedi Maruf, Saqlain Sojib, Jahurul Islam Omee, Nadif Chowdhury appeared in the venue ground one by one.

They took part in a group photo session in front of the few thousand fans and cricket loving people amid tight security. Therefore, Shakib delivered his welcome speech before playing their fun game against Omera LPG.

“We yet again want to lift the BPL title. I seek your cordial support. Hopefully you all continue your support for Dhaka Dynamites,” Shakib said. One by one all the Dynamites players batted firstly and then bowled against their opponent. They hit the ball towards the crowds, who were swooped on the ball to grab it. Since then, they distributed team jersey and bat among the fans.

Though it was expected to grace the programme by Dynamites owner Shayan F Rahman, he did not attend the event due to his hectic schedule. But Dynamites CEO Obeid R Nizam, its head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon, among others, also present.

At the fag’s end of the programme, Dynamites’ Pakistan recruit all-rounder Shahid Afridi spoke to the media, wherein he said that almost every cricketer comes out of playing this sort of cricket and they should keep going it.

“Obviously, almost every cricketer started their cricket game with such type of cricket,” said Shahid Afridi.

“It’s not about just cricket, we have needed socialization. The social life and community we have, whereby we have a lot of fans,” Afridi told media.

“They want to see their cricketers one to one. So, I am very happy today to do it for them,” he added.

Praising the authorities for arranging such good initiative, the veteran all-rounder said, “I think, I must give credit to Dhaka Dynamites owners, CEO, management and coaches for bringing the whole team here to attract each and everyone. I think, it’s a very good initiative and that we should continue it.”

“It’s very good. It’s a historical place as well.  I think, it’s good not only for me but also for the team to move around and see the Dhaka city. It’s an opportunity to attract the community,” he viewed.

Terming Bangladesh as his second home, Afridi, who retired though from all forms of cricket keep going T20 League, said that he gets similarity with the condition and foods of Bangladesh  When asked about

“I always enjoy Bangladesh. It’s my second home. I always enjoy playing cricket here. I always get good response, respect and love from the people here. That’s why, I also love to play here and come here every year to play cricket,” he said.       

“Foods are very similar like Pakistani food. There is no difference,” he told in response to a query. Afridi’s Dynamites teammate Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, a promising all-rounder, said that he expects the support from the fans to be showed their best performance in BPL.

“It’s a historical place. We got to play here amid a good number of local fans. It’s a great achievement,” Mosaddek Hossain said.

“The way the fans support us, Dhaka dwellers will also support us in this way. Hopefully if they could do so, Inshaallah, we could showcase our best performance in BPL,” Saikat told reporters.

“I think such type of tournament or game such type of programme boost up the team a lot. It’s a big advantage for the team that we all unite here together,” he added.   

Source: theindependentbd