After getting humiliated for spreading Islamism through cricket in the T20 World Cup 2021, the Pakistani Cricket team is caught up in a new controversy. The bizarre raising of Pakistani flag in a Bangladeshi stadium has invited the wrath of Bangladeshi citizens, who still have not forgotten the brutal genocides by their old colonisers.
Bangladeshi fans want Pakistani team to go back:
The tour is yet to begin, and Bangladeshi fans are already outraged with their tourists. The outrage started when Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared some photos of its team practicing for the series in Mirpur, Bangladesh. In one of the photos, the Pakistani flag was shown to be planted near the practice pitches used by the players.
Pakistan team training and practice session underway in Dhaka, Bangladesh #HarHaalMainCricket | #BANvPAK pic.twitter.com/zHcLajpwtq
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 16, 2021
As soon as the Bangladeshis saw the unnecessary planting of flags in their stadiums, they all came in unison to retaliate against the move.
A user Misbah Ur Rahman questioned the Pakistani team’s intention and motive behind hoisting the flag on pitches when no other team had ever done it in the history of the game.
Different countries have come to #Bangladesh innumerable times, many matches have been played by practicing.But neither party needed to practice burying their national flag on the ground.But why did #Pakistan do that…
What does it indicate?#BANvPAK pic.twitter.com/bxUyTq5K1s— Misbah ur Rahman (@95MRahman) November 15, 2021
Another Twitter user Shahajada Shah Pervez demanded the Bangladeshi cricket board to stop the series and send back the Pakistani team.
Go back Pakistan. Bangladesh should stop the series. Ban any kind of Pakistani flag in Bangladesh.#RecogniseTheGenicide1971 https://t.co/viUEAx5Nfq
— Shahajada Shah Pervez 🇧🇩 (@ShahajadaShahP) November 15, 2021
Pranto Deb, another Bangladeshi fan demanded strong action against the Pakistani team for their unsolicited actions.
Players of Pakistan cricket team practice by hanging flags at Mirpur Stadium. Hanging flags is not an expression of heroism. If there is, there is nothing to say. Let immediate action be taken. I strongly protest..6
— deb Pranto BD (@PrantoD88554197) November 16, 2021
Flag during practice raises morale – Pakistani team:
Meanwhile, the Pakistani team has come up with a poor explanation for the flag planted in the stadium. According to them, Pakistan’s head coach Saqlain Mushtaq started this practice two months ago. The move was intended to motivate players by reminding them of their pride and honor associated with the flag.
With fresh wounds from Mathew Wade’s hammering in the T20 World Cup, the Pakistani cricket team is in Bangladesh to play a bilateral series. The tour will commence on November 19, with a T20 match kicking it off. A total of 3 T20s and 2 Test matches are to be played.
50-years of Bangladeshi freedom:
The hoisting of the flag at this moment in the history of Bangladesh may have some bad political consequences. On 16 December 2021, the whole of Bangladesh is going to celebrate 50 years of its freedom from the systematic barbaric Pakistani administration of the past.
Since India played had a huge role in freeing the modern-day Bangladesh from the clutches of the terror-sponsoring Pakistan, the 50-year anniversary comes off as a double whammy for Pakistan. Firstly, a large swathe of territory was snatched from Pakistan, with 93,000 of its personnel surrendering to Indian forces, something which the Pakistani administration still cries on. Secondly, India initially fought with Bangladeshis as the catalyst, and later when it led to a war, India and Bangladesh registered victory on Pakistan.
The 50-year celebration of Bangladesh translates to a 50-year celebration of the Indian army’s victory over the Pakistani army. For some Bangladeshi fans, the hoisting of the flag may be a huge sign of Pakistan looking to reestablish itself in Bangladesh, and the signs are really glaring.
Also read: PM Modi’s rage forces Bangladesh to act
As far as history is concerned, traditionally flags are raised in stadiums only when the two participating countries are ready to play. Doing it on practice wickets in a country which had once banned the carrying of foreign flags by spectators, does not look like a ‘motivating move’. Considering that both teams are cricketing as well as regional rivals with a bloodied history, it is tough to believe that flag was planted for cricketing reasons.
