Tamim, Mashrafe urge the fan groups of different players to unite

Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal in the last of his Facebook live chat shows featuring Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad on Saturday night, urged the fan-group of different players in the Bangladesh side to restrain from belittling any particular fan-group and asked them to stay united. 

Fans and supporters are the main strength of sportsmen and teams around the world. The Tigers' fans are known to be one of the most passionate supporters in world cricket.

There are also huge fan bases of each individual cricketer in the Bangladesh team who are known to be the biggest strength of those players.

However, there have been many cases when these fan groups often engaged in huge arguments and at times attacked the supporters of other players, especially on social media.

During one part of Tamim's live show, he urged the supporters to unite and stop attacking each other.

"You must know there are groups of their favorite players like Tamimian, Mushfiqian, Mashrafian which is completely understandable. But in recent times, I felt that due to such groups they start to attack each other and I don't know whether it is right or wrong. But I would like to request everyone to not attack each other. 

"It is good to have such groups as we all play for Bangladesh and we all are friends, brothers and teammates. I would like to request them to also be like friends and brothers. It's not right when Tamim's supporters say bad things about Mushfiqur's fans or Mashrafe's supporters say bad things about Mushfiqur's supporters. Please don't do such things," requested Tamim.

Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe also agreed to the fact and said that if the Tigers' supporters can change such behaviour then Bangladeshi fans will also be known as one of the most gentle supporters in world cricket.

"I totally agree. Mainly it's we who can damage ourselves and not the outsiders. Someone likes me and he says bad things about Mushfiq or vice versa. But ultimately we play for you and for Bangladesh. Yes, if you guys want to criticise then do it against all of us. But if you pick an individual, suppose if Mushfiqur plays well then you target the other ten players then it's not right. Every supporter has their favorite player but that doesn't mean you will criticise others.

"It's good to have a fanbase but don't try to disrespect others. I hope as cricket is a gentleman's game and its supporters are also gentle as it has been all across the world. I am sure our supporters are always with us and if we can restrain from such things then we can make ourselves proud," Mashrafe said.

According to Mushfiqur everyone in the team should be treated equally as they all share the pride when they win a game and also share the pain when they lose.

"While representing Bangladesh, at times we get the success and at times we fail but that doesn't mean the team fail for one individual and it is the same when we win a game as well. I think that it is not just the supporters but also the media should treat us equally. I will never accept that my fans will say bad things about Mashrafe, Tamim, or any other player," said Mushfiqur.