Former captain Javed Miandad. PHOTO: APP/FILE
KARACHI: Former players Wednesday hit out after Bangladesh banned their own fans from waving non-Bangladeshi flags at the ongoing World Twenty20 tournament.
Hosts Bangladesh issued the order after an outcry over images of locals waving Pakistani flags during the recent Asia Cup.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made the ruling on Tuesday, on the eve of the country's 44th independence day.
Former captain Javed Miandad said the move violated the spirit of the game.
"I am surprised at the decision," Miandad told AFP. "Cricket is a game which harbours sportsman spirit and this decision violates that spirit."
Another former captain, Mohammad Yousuf, urged the BCB to rethink.
"I am sure that the BCB will take this decision back because it defies logic and I am sure the International Cricket Council will seek some explanation," Yousuf said.
Yousuf, who played 90 Tests and 288 ODIs for Pakistan, said he had always been warmly received in Bangladesh.
"I have seen the home fans want to support Pakistan whenever their own team is not competing against us," he said.
Younis Khan, another former captain, agreed Bangladesh should reconsider their decision.
"It is against the spirit of the game as you cannot stop anyone from supporting his favourite team," he said.
Bangladesh and Pakistan face each other in a potentially crucial World T20 group match in Mirpur on Sunday.
COMMENTS (42)
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@MayOr:
What Hindu population? Many of whom have already left for India due to their persecution, and abductions and rapes of their daughters? I guess the rest of them just don’t want to have their houses burnt for flying the Indian flag. Can you blame them?
@ModiFied: Pakistani ppl are free to waive indian flags, but for your kind info; even the hindu population of Pakistan does not own india :P
As an Indian and a long term watcher of PTV Cricket coverage during my childhood in Amritsar, I can vouch that Pakistani fans are maybe slightly less partisan than the idol worshipping Indian fans, definitely not more. Bangladeshis are acting quite immature, Miandad is right.
Speaks a country where they issue fatwa on media for praising tendulkar. Hypocrites
To this in-law of an outlaw and all those commenting against the ban on flags by Bangladesh, why not comment also on bringing a compulsory public prayer session for the players on to the field and apologizing to the entire muslim world when Pakistan loses a match against India? Lips zipped ???????
@Saiful: You are exactly right.Cheering players and clapping when they are playing good is one thing (and a reasonable one),but waiving of the flag is another altogether.Especially the flags of a country that suppressed and persecuted you not too long ago.Flags represent nation and nationalism.
Yes I Agree with Miyandad, Other nations wave flag and in pakistan they wave GUNS. Srilankan players first experienced this in 2009
Fare from bangladesh. It is necessary to prevent stampede, if arise out of some emotion burst of some people.
@Saiful: What you stated makes no sense in sports arena. BD needs to learn not to mix political history with sports. If BD is so sensitive about Pakistan because of history then why play against Pak at all? Should Pakistan ban England flags or Indian flags because of our historical experiences? We don't. Seems a complete lack of maturity. Moreover, BD fans are not waving Pak flags when BD plays Pakistan, so why ban them from Pak flags when Pak plays Australia? The security issue is just an excuse. Who will fight BD fans waving Pak flag when the match is against Australia, or West Indies or India? These matches are for entertainment, and to forget about harsh realities of life. Let them have fun.
@dude
Kargil unfolded in May, I am talking March of that year
Enough of these mindless right-wing Indians on the ET website. I wish someone just took an executive decision to shut down the trolls.
Miandad is right; the ban is illiberal and repressive. Fans should be allowed to support whatever team they want. If any Pakistanis want to wave the Indian flag on home ground, they are welcome to, but of course no one really wants to do that. Bengalis on the other hand tend to support the Pakistani team after their own.
Let people live their lives
Millions Bengalis died in the hand of Pakistan Army in 1971, then Bangladesh achieved it's flag. It really hurts us, when we see a Bangladeshi citizen holding Pakistani flag. If we let any Bangladeshi to do that, it will be a betrayal with 3 million Bangladehis died and thousands sisters raped by Pakistan Army in 1971.
I am an Indian (and Hindu...just in case) and I agree with what Mr. Miandad says. It is against the spirit of cricket to ban a flag from just one country. However, as someone rightly said before me, we South Asians are a distinct breed of emotional fools and it is the government's utmost responsibility to ensure a smooth and peaceful hosting of the world cup whilst also keeping spectator and player security being the highest priority. Until we mature as a region, it's difficult to keep politics out of cricket.
At least they don’t make the people to disappear for flying the wrong flag as happens in Baluchistan.
@sid ...there is no such silly law in pakistan that forbades its nationals to hold the flag of their favourite team..may it be india or israel. Its one thing that we Pakistanis do not agree with some countries' policies but banning the audience from holding a certain flag is non sensical, extreme and pathetic. Against the sportsman spirit. Banglindia have gone a step ahead after crying like children on losing several times against Pakistan.
I guess it's not the problem with general public, it's all about politics. Bengalis have supported Pakistani teams all these years, we appreciate that. Bengali government shouldn't interfere with cricket. Things like these are too bad for country. What if tomorrow government bans to celebrate Christmas or holi. Chain of extremism shouldn't start at the first place.I wish good luck to Bengali team, I'll be happy if they win regular world cup one day
@ModiFied: Let kashmiri wave Pakistani flags too
@sid: @Sindho: You shouldn't have drawn the comparison since there is no comparison since We do not have diplomatic relationship with Israel .. unfortunately, both countries do not recognize at the moment.
During Pak India series in Pakistan crowed was freely supporting India and every one knows that When India is playing against any non Asian country .. We always support India. This ban sounds illogical since crowed goes to watch matches and should be allowed to support both teams at will. The main purpose of the game is to create harmony not draw divisions while providing entertainment.
pakis are acting as innocents and highly spirited players. @Truth detector: 1999? kargil attack year?
@sid: offcourse it allowed. i suggest you to try once
For the close minded Indian and Bengali trolls. Go on YouTube and see pak indo series of 2004. Countless pak fans tied Indian flags with Pakistan flags. Pakistani fans unlike Indians would clap when tendulkur would score a boundary. I myself have watched the matches live in the stadium and seen fans clapping and supporting good cricket. In India when Pakistani opener scores a boundary, there is pin drop silence.
@ModiFied
Pakistanis have shown a lot more heart for visiting Indian team than vice versa. You should remember 2005 visit, Pakistanis equally supported both teams. They showed a lot of spirit. However, I remember in 1999, when Pakistan was winning test match in India, the whole stadium had to cleared because Indian fans wont stop throwing stuff at Pakistani fielders. This is the worst & most pathetic fan behavior in the history of cricket. Nothing has changed much, I guess.
Main dad is no position to protest and argue about BD's internal policies. Also ban is for locals only, foreigners can carry flags of their own countries.
Let Pakistanis fly the Indian flags next time when India and Pakistan play.
There is actually a logical reason. They need to maintain stability even in matches as they know very well us desi people can get quite emotional when it comes to cricket and they don't want any stampede or other problems to take place whilst match is being played. It is actually quite a logical move very rational. Don't want unnecessary issues with respect to crowd control. Are you related to some big underworld figure by the way Mr Miandad via marriage? Sorry for stirring pot there.
BD does not care what world says. Haseen's so called "liberal" government is worse than dictatorship.
What about Israel's flag in pakistan will they allow it...........?????taking about spirit??????/