2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Mashrafe Mortaza Reacts To Bangladeshi Fans’ Derogatory Cartoons For Team India
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:39 PM
Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, on Wednesday (June 14), insisted that he does not have any control on the derogatory cartoons made by the Bangladeshi fans to insult the Indian team and its players.
Ever since the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal where some close umpiring calls went India’s way in their victory over Bangladesh, the rivalry between the two countries have become fierce especially for the Bangladeshi fans who have not squandered a single chance to disrespect the Indian players.
In 2015, a Bangladeshi news outlet had posted a photo of half-shaved heads of the Indian players after the Men in Blue struggled against Mustafizur Rahman’s cutters during the three-match One-Day International series. After that, a Bangladeshi fan posted another controversial photo showing fast bowler Taskin Ahmed carrying the severed head of former Indian limited-overs captain MS Dhoni before the Asia Cup final.
As if they were not enough, another derogatory photo is now doing the rounds on the social media, showing a tiger draped in a Bangladesh flag pouncing on a dog wearing an India flag ahead of the semifinal between the two countries on Thursday (June 15).
And with the matter getting uglier day by day, Bangladesh skipper Mortaza was asked about it during his pre-match press conference.
Condemning the shameful act, Mortaza said:
“These things are not expected and not in the control of players. A match against India is just another game for us and if these cartoons are meant to lift our convictions levels, they just don’t work.”
While the Bangladeshi fans never hesitate in going overboard during the celebrations, one can also say that their players have also not shied away in spicing up their celebrations on the field. The past matches have witnessed the Bangladeshi players giving animated send-offs to the Indian players and so another entertaining game is on the cards when both the teams lock horn in Edgbaston.
Mortaza also said that India will be under more pressure during the match.
“Look there is pressure in big games but India have more at stake than us,” said Mortaza before adding that Bangladesh has light-years to go to reach India’s cricket levels.