The Bangladesh cricket team returned home to a cold and hostile reception from disappointed fans and media following their poor performance against Afghanistan. Upon landing, the unit was booed at the airport, with some supporters openly expressing their anger at the performance. Social media posts and eyewitness accounts said players were met with jeers and visible frustration.
This reaction followed Bangladesh’s whitewash in the recent leg of the ODI tour. In the 2025–26 series held in the UAE, Afghanistan won all three ODIs, leaving Bangladesh 0–3.
Mehidy Hasan has had a tough start to his captaincy, losing nine of his first ten matches. In the third ODI on 14 October at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Bangladesh were bowled out for just 93 in 27.1 overs in pursuit of 294. Apart from Sai Hassan who scored 43, no other batsman reached double figures.
In response, some players and insiders expressed their disappointment and emotional strain. Young cricketer Naim Sheikh, for example, shared an emotional note emphasizing that the team plays for the national flag, not for itself, despite facing backlash from fans.
“We who step onto the pitch don’t just play – we wear the name of our country on our chest. The red and green flag is not just on our bodies, it’s in our blood. With every ball, every run, every breath we try to make this flag proud,” wrote Naim Sheikh.
“Yes, sometimes we succeed, sometimes we don’t. Victory comes, defeat comes – that’s the reality of sports. We know that when we lose, it hurts, it makes you angry – because you love this country as much as we do.”
“But the way the hatred was directed at us today, the attacks on our vehicles, it really hurts. We are human; we make mistakes, but we never lack love or effort for our country. Every moment we try for the country, for the people, to put a smile on your face.”
“We want love, not hate. Let criticism come with reason, not anger. Because we are all children of one flag. Whether we win or lose – let the red and green always be a source of pride, not anger, for all of us.”
“We will fight and we will rise again – for the country, for you, for this flag.”
The lackluster results showed how far Bangladesh had fallen behind their neighbors in the format, leaving fans feeling disappointed. Back home, a hostile reception signaled that tolerance for underperformance had run out.
After a disappointing series against Afghanistan, Bangladesh will look to make amends when they take on the West Indies in a three-match ODI series, followed by three T20Is at home from October 18.
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
October 16, 2025
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