Bangladesh players had a very poor performance in the recent ODI series against Afghanistan as they suffered a 0-3 defeat. He faced a massive backlash as Bangladesh fans openly rebelled and even attacked his vehicles outside the airport.
Bangladesh is preparing to host West Indies for a lengthy white-ball home series. The matches will include white-ball games in both ODI and T20I formats. The games will be played at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur.
Hence the Bangladesh team has landed on Bangladeshi soil for the upcoming series and is hoping to revive their level after the humiliating defeat in the previous series against Afghanistan at home. Afghans have started preparations for the World Cup with full confidence.
Bangladesh players faced violent reaction
For the first time in the history of the game, Bangladesh lost a series against Afghanistan with a clean sweep. This time, the Mehdi Hasan Miraz-led team was doomed only by the presence of the Afghans, as they lost the first match by 5 wickets, the second by a margin of 81 runs, and finally the third by a huge margin of 200 runs.
Although Bangladesh has qualified for the Super-4 stage by defeating Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, it has faced criticism from its fans and spectators. According to reports, as soon as the Bangladesh team landed in Dhaka, Bangladeshi fans jeered them.
It was clearly visible in the social media post of Bangladesh opener Mohammad Nayeem Shaikh that the players’ vehicles have been attacked.
Wins come, losses come – this is the reality of the game – Mohammad Naeem
Naim took to social media to request Bangladesh fans not to continue with such hatred as it has affected the team’s mentality and made all the efforts put in by them in vain in the series, which unfortunately ended in a clean sweep.
He wrote, “We who take the field, we do not just play – we carry the name of our country on our chests. The red and green flag is not just on our bodies; it is in our blood. With every ball, every run, every breath, we strive to make that flag proud.”
“Yes, sometimes we succeed, sometimes we don’t. Wins come, losses come – that’s the reality of the game. We know when we lose, it hurts you, makes you angry – because you love this country as much as we do.
He further said, “But the way hatred was spread on us today, our vehicles were attacked, is really sad. We are human beings; we make mistakes, but we never lack love or effort for our country. Every moment, we strive for the country, for the people, to bring a smile on your face.”
“We want love, not hate. Let criticism come with logic, not with anger. Because we are all children of the same flag. Whether we win or lose – let the red and green colors always be a source of pride for all of us, not anger,” he argued, adding that criticism should come with logic and not anger.
He concluded, “We will fight, and we will rise again – for the country, for you, for this flag.”
Mohammad Naim has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI against West Indies
The Bangladesh batsman has been left out of the ODI squad for the upcoming home series against the West Indies, while Mahidul Islam Ankon has been included in the national ODI squad for the first time. Soumya Sarkar has also been recalled for the ODIs as he last played in the Champions Trophy.
Nayeem has not been given a chance along with T20I captain Liton Das, who has been rested, as the BCB does not want to risk the captain with an eye on next year’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
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