Tigers\\\' fans roam in Black Caps\\\' home

FE Team | Published: March 14, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

HAMILTON: Bangladesh bowler Shakib Al Hasan (L) is congratulated by Nasir Hossain (C) and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim (R) during the Pool A Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Seddon Park here Friday. — AFP Photo

HAMILTON, Mar 13 (AFP): Shahadat Mallick came all the way from the United States to watch the World Cup and his beloved Bangladesh, a team which feels like family to him.
"I have seen history," said Mallick, who was in Adelaide last Monday to see the Tigers claim a famous 15-run win over England which took them into the quarter-finals for the first time.
"I watched the win over England that took us to the quarters and it's a great delight for me.
"I grew up in Dhaka and have some relatives who have played for Bangladesh, so cricket is very much in my blood but now I rarely get an opportunity to watch as I am based in US."
Mallick was just one of hundreds of Bangladeshi fans who thronged Hamilton's Seddon Park for their last World Cup Pool A match against New Zealand Friday.
"I have come with my family of five," said Shoukat Hossain, who is from Tauranga. "It's great to see Bangladesh perform so well in the World Cup."
Hossain has already bought a ticket for quarter-final in Melbourne where Bangladesh would meet defending champions India on March 19.
"We will not allow India to beat us," said Nafees, Hossain's son, a student at Hamilton University.
"Every time in the past we left the World Cup empty-handed but this time we can finish at our best."
Nuzrat Malik came to Hamilton from Melbourne to watch his first game of the tournament.
"I was reluctant at the start because I thought Bangladesh would not do well but once they beat England I decided to watch the remaining games and I will watch the quarter-final as well as the MCG is close to my house," she said.
Local fan Shane McDonald has his sights set on a share of a one million dollars being offered by a New Zealand brewer for fans who can catch the ball clean if it lands in the crowd.
"I am up for the competition even though I am not fully fit," said McDonald who was on a crutch after a car accident last month. "I hope the stick doesn't hamper me from catching it clean."