Fans return to Mirpur Stadium after 618 days

Fans of Bangladesh cricket finally return to the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium to cheer for their side in the first of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan today.

Excited Tigers' fans before the first T20I between Bangladesh and Pakistan outside Mirpur Stadium. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Photo: Firoz Ahmed

The last time the Tigers' fans had the normal experience was back in March 2020 when Bangladesh played against Zimbabwe, after which the global pandemic halted all sporting events. Cricket eventually returned to the country in 2021, however, the Tigers ended up playing four home series without spectators.

And today, after an interval of 618 days, Bangladesh team's 12th man finally comes back to the Home of Cricket to experience the action up close. However, the number of allocated seats is 50% of the stadium's capacity and is only applicable for Covid-19 vaccination certificate holders.