Tamim, Mashrafe urge the fan sets of different players to unite
Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal within the last of his Facebook live chat shows featuring Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad on Saturday night, urged the fan-group of different players in the Bangladesh side to restrain from belittling any particular fan-group and asked them to remain united.
Fans and supporters are the primary strength of sportsmen and teams all over the world. The Tigers' fans are regarded as just about the most passionate supporters in world cricket.
There are also huge fan bases of every individual cricketer in the Bangladesh team who are regarded as the biggest strength of those players.
However, there have been many cases when these fan groups often engaged in huge arguments and at times attacked the supporters of other players, especially on social media.
During one part of Tamim's live show, he urged the supporters to unite and prevent attacking each other.
"You need to know there are sets of a common players like Tamimian, Mushfiqian, Mashrafian which is totally understandable. But in recent years, I felt that due to such groups they start to attack the other person and I have no idea whether it's right or wrong. But I would like to request everyone never to attack each other.
"It is good to have such groups as we all play for Bangladesh and we all are friends, brothers and teammates. I would like to request them to also end up like friends and brothers. It's not right when Tamim's supporters say bad things about Mushfiqur's fans or Mashrafe's supporters say bad reasons for having Mushfiqur's supporters. Please don't do such things," requested Tamim.
Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe also decided to the fact and said that if the Tigers' supporters can change such behaviour then Bangladeshi fans will also be known as the most gentle supporters in world cricket.
"I totally agree. Mainly it's we who may damage ourselves rather than the outsiders. Someone likes me and he says bad things about Mushfiq or vice versa. But finally we play for you personally and for Bangladesh. Yes, if you guys want to criticise then do it against most of us. But if you pick an individual, suppose if Mushfiqur plays well then you target the other ten players then it isn't right. Every supporter has a common player but that doesn't mean you will criticise others.
"It's good to get a fanbase but don't try to disrespect others. I am hoping as cricket is a gentleman's game and its own supporters are also gentle as it has been all over the world. I am certain our supporters are always with us and if we are able to restrain from such things then we can make ourselves proud," Mashrafe said.
According to Mushfiqur everyone in the team ought to be treated equally as each of them share the pride if they win a game and in addition share the pain if they lose.
"While representing Bangladesh, sometimes we get the success and sometimes we fail but it doesn't mean the team fail for one individual in fact it is the same when we win a game aswell. I think that it is not only the supporters but also the media should treat us equally. I'll never accept that my fans will say bad reasons for having Mashrafe, Tamim, or any other player," said Mushfiqur.
