Fans had protested yesterday over ticket issues for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Today (Monday), on the opening day of the tournament, an even more unfortunate incident occurred. Frustrated at not getting tickets, enraged fans broke Gate No. 2 of the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. They also blocked the personal car of Khulna Tigers’ captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
On Sunday (December 29), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that tickets would not be sold at booths near the Mirpur Stadium. Instead, tickets were made available online and at designated branches of Madhumati Bank. Fans, unable to get tickets from the bank branches, expressed their anger.
By 11 a.m., large crowds gathered at the main gate of the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. Some fans began breaking banners and festoons, quickly escalating the situation. The protesters vandalized the main entrance of the stadium and broke several metal gates.
To control the chaos, police had to resort to baton charges. The situation has since calmed down significantly.
The first match of the day is currently underway between Durbar Rajshahi and defending champions Fortune Barishal. The second match, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., will see Rangpur Riders facing Dhaka Capitals.
