'So many lives lost has shattered my heart' - Mashrafe Mortaza reacts to the Communal violence in Bangladesh

Communal violence has shaken the country of Bangladesh. Hundreds of people belonging to the Hindu community were injured during the Durga Puja celebrations. And, the minority Hindu group has been at the receiving end of brutal attacks in the city of Bangladesh.

And now, former Bangladesh cricket legend Mashrafe Mortaza has stated that on 17th October 2021, he witnessed two losses. Mortaza revealed that while the first loss was that of the Bangladesh cricket team losing to Scotland, the other was the loss suffered by the whole Bangladesh nation. Mortaza even added that so many hard-earned lives and so many dreams were lost in a moment.

“Yesterday I saw two losses. One Bangladesh cricket team’s, which pained me. The other being the whole of Bangladesh’s, something that shattered my heart. This red and green (colours of the flag signifying the nation) is not what we wanted. So many dreams, so many hard-earned lives lost in a flash. Allah give us Hidayat,” said Mortaza as quoted by News18.

Bangladesh lose their opening Qualifier match to Scotland

The Bangladesh cricket team started its campaign in the 2021 T20 World Cup Qualifiers on a sour note, losing to the Scotland side by 6 runs. The Scotland team batted first and posted a total of 140/9 on the board.

Chris Greaves top-scored for the Scotland outfit with the willow, and plundered a 28-ball 45. Apart from Greaves, the likes of George Munsey and Mark Watt chipped in with 29 and 22 respectively.

With the ball, Mahedi Hasan was the star performer for the Bangladesh outfit. The right-arm off-spinner scalped 3 wickets in his quota of 4 overs and gave away just 19 runs in the process as well.

In reply, the Bangladesh side could only muster a total of 134/7. Apart from Mushfiqur Rahim who scored 38, none of the other Bangladesh batsmen could cross the 30-run mark. Bradley Wheal was outstanding with the ball for the Scotland side. In the 4 overs that he bowled, Wheal picked up 3 wickets and gave away just 24 runs.

Bangladesh will next take on the Oman side on 19th October 2021 at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground.