The Asia Cup in the UAE has seen some pulsating clashes between the best six teams in the continent.
The Asian population in the UAE has come out in big numbers during the tournament to see their heroes clash against their neighbours. For fans from India and Bangladesh, it has been a special occasion as they don’t get to see their stars in this part of the world the way those from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan do.
One expected India’s matches to attract the best crowds as they have the biggest names in world cricket, even without Virat Kohli, and fill up venues anywhere in the world.
However, the Asia Cup has seen a different outcome with Bangladesh enjoying by far the best following among the teams in competition.
India and Pakistan’s matches against Hong Kong were poorly attended with the Dubai Stadium not even half full for them. India’s match against Hong Kong was their first international in 12 years but since it was on Tuesday and a day before the India-Pakistan match, the crowd did not turn up in decent numbers.
However, Bangladesh enjoyed excellent crowds whenever they have played. The opening match of the tournament between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had arguably the best atmosphere with the Dubai stadium almost full by the start of the match at 3:30 pm and the crowd was overwhelmingly made up of Tigers’ supporters.
Even in Friday’s match between India and Bangladesh, the India fans were outnumbered by the Bangladeshi supporters. Bangladesh’s flag easily dominated India’s tricolour in the stands and you don’t see that too often in limited overs matches.
Teams like Australia, England and South Africa have almost resigned to the fact of playing in India-dominated venues even during home games as supporters of the men in blue turn out in massive numbers.
#India bring in Jadeja for Pandya. Crowd update: overwhelming support for Bangladesh. #AsiaCup2018 #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/Wn3fD0vJc8
— Ajit Vijaykumar (@ajvk1984) September 21, 2018
However in the UAE, with the numbers a lot more equitable among the expat population, Bangladesh supporters have become the 12th man of the team.
After the first match against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said playing in Dubai felt like playing in Mirpur, maybe even better. Big stands and towering shades provide a thrilling atmosphere when the venue is full and Bangladesh’s cricket crazy expats have left no stones unturned in making their players feel at home.
Almost every Bangladesh supporters has turned out on his or her country’s colours and the venues have seen some of the biggest flags unfurled in the game. Whether Bangladesh win the Asia Cup remains to be seen. But it is clear they have already won the battle of the fans.
