Khulna's warm welcome
The first day of the second Test between Bangladesh and West Indies will remain as part of history not only in the record books, but also in the memory of the Khulna dwellers who witnessed their first day of Test cricket. With this, the Sheikh Abu Naser Cricket Stadium has become the seventh Test venue of the country.
Local fans, eager to be a part of history gathered infront of the stadium from the early hours yesterday with posters of Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Sohag Gazi. School, college and university students wearing uniforms were also the part of the crowd.
Some were even smaller.
Five-year old Nehal came to the field with his uncle and said that Shakib and Mushfiq were his heroes. He was thrilled to be watching them in action right from the gallery.
Mimi, a student of Khulna University was overjoyed at having been in the stadium for the historic occasion. But she expressed her concern at the lack of memorials in the stadium for fallen heroes like the sadly deceased Manjarul Islam Rana. She hoped that the authority concerned would name one part of the stadium in Rana's memory.
Sumona Hossain, a student of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology University was also elated. “It is great moment for me that I am watching the Test match in my home,†she said.
Meanwhile, BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon visited the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium during the Test match between West Indies and Bangladesh. He also met with the journalists at the media centre.
Later, Papon also made a call to Zamila Khatun, mother of Manjarul Islam Rana, at her residence at the city's Boyra Muzgunni area, around 100 yards away from the stadium. The BCB president gave assurance to Zamila Khatun that they would extend their cooperation to the family.
Manjarul Islam Rana, a former Bangladeshi cricketer was killed in a road accident at Dumuria upazila in the district on March 16 in 2007 from a tragic motorbike accident. His friend Setu, another cricketer was also killed in the accident.
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