Biography 208: Colors thrown to people, when Bangladeshi Cricket Team Won.

 It was a big day in Bangladeshi Cricket history when they got Test Status. On that day, another thing happened in Bangladesh, mainly in Dhaka. People started throwing paint at other people. It would be good if they continued doing this among friends and family. But people got crazy and started throwing people all over the road. Some may work in the office, go to pray to master, go to school, etc.

On the road, people started throwing liquid colour to all passersby walking or moving in a rickshaw, car, or bus. First, maybe they had tap water with them to mix the colour with it. Then they started taking water from the drain, colouring it, and throwing it at the people. It didn't remain fun for all people. Many people were kind of harassed by this kind of activity, especially ladies.

It was a big victory day for Bangladesh, so eventually, people forgave this activity. At least no action had been taken.

We four sisters went out that day. Three of us came back home clean—I mean without any colour—except my fourth sister, Shekha. She was on the rickshaw with her friends coming back home. The rickshaw was in the Shahjahanpur Railway Colony (Government Residencial Area). Some boys threw buckets of colour on them.

Now, I want to tell my history. I was in the Department of Geography & Environment at the University of Dhaka. We were on the second level of our department building, at our class. Then the news came with the color-throwing event. Some boys ran outside to collect colours to throw them on the girls. All the girls were scared and tried to run away. I, along with some other girls, ran to the library and closed the door.

Some boys came, including one of our classmates, Tulon. Because another classmate, Tinni, was shouting continuously, "Tulon, don't do this, stop it!." Well, that gives Tulon more courage to continue their activities. They tried to break the lock by pushing the door. Some girls, including me, tried to push back the door so that they couldn't get inside. Tulon used his brain 200% and a steal ruler to open the lock. Then he gave a big push to the door. When I was alone, I was trying to keep it close, so I couldn't.

All entered together in the room. I screamed and hid my face with my hands. I don't know why; nobody touched me or threw any colour on me. They were using dry colours. They ran inside the room and found girls who were hiding below the table or behind the shelves and through colours on them. I was shocked and standing at the front door. Then they all go outside.

I was thinking, how did I get relieved? Anyway, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of them. I don't know who they were; their faces were covered with colours. I just know that one of them was Tulon.

Then, I waited inside the library for a couple of hours to stop this colour game. I took a rickshaw and came back home. On the way, I saw colours everywhere. In the Matijhil, all cars were coloured, all roads had colour marks, and buildings had colour marks. I saw some forceful colouring activities beside the roads too.  Luckily, my rickshaw poller used 300% of his brain, he rode fast and kept our rickshaw in the middle so that they didn't try to attack me. I came back home clean.

Biography 195: Cricket in the University of Dhaka

 Cricket became very popular in Bangladesh when I was at the University of Dhaka. After the Bangladeshi team got a chance to play in the World Cup.

When I was in the first year, I heard our class was making a men's Cricket Team. Saleh recommended that Shahana be the manager. I always found him making fun of something or somebody, so I took it as one of his fun. Later, I found he really meant it. Anyway, Silvey finally became the manager.

They started practicing and playing games with other departments. Always invited the class to join and watch their game. I don't know about others, but we (3 girls) couldn't make much time for them because of classes.

One day, we went to watch their match. When we reached the Jagannath Hall field, we found many girls and boys from our class already in the gallery. The game had already started.

One of our classmates told us the opposite team/other department team didn't show up. So, our 1st year boys are playing with the senior boys of our own department. Just to enjoy the day.

When we settled in the gallery, one wicket fell from the senior student's team. Maybe because of a bunch of young 1st year girls, or perhaps that is his typical attitude. A senior student gets up and gets ready to bat with a lot of attitude. Like he is the master of all games, we are nothing. Then, start walking towards the field. A boy from our classmate said, "Owner of one ball," which means he will be out within one serving of the ball). And exactly that happened. He got a duck, which means out in 0 runs in one ball. Now, he has to return to the pavilion where many girls are watching. He was coming back to the pavilion, and his head was down.

And the boy again said, in a lower voice. I told you, owner of one ball. In the situation, the way he told him, we all laughed outbursts. The senior student looked up and looked at me. Like, I am the only one laughing at him. I was laughing at the voice of that boy. But he didn't ask for my explanation, so I could never explain to him.

Another day, we girls were standing on the balcony of our department, and some of our department boys were playing cricket on our building grounds. One girl said something, and we all laughed out loud. Especially when one of the senior students missed to hold a ball and the other team got 4 runs. We laughed because one of the girls predicted that the boy was getting distracted because of us on the balcony, and he missed the ball then. So, obviously, we couldn't stop laughing.

Later, that student told our classmate Neela, I saw you guys. None of you holding your teeth inside your mouth.

My cousin Litu bro also studied at the same University in the Bangla Department. I have visited the field to watch his games, too. His classmates gave a warm welcome to me, like a little sister. I always felt comfort around them. Never felt that I was from a different department.

One day, when my brother was bowling, one of his friends shouted, wipe the ball on your stomach. Leter I asked him, whats the story. He said one day, he wiped the ball on his t-shirt by rubbing it on his stomach, and then he got a catch. So, they were asking him to do the same to get success.

Not a single person was playing Cricket!

When our Cricket Team got test status, I have seen everywhere in Bangladesh both kids and adults are playing cricket. They might not have bat, ball or wicket... but whatever they had (a wooden stick, tennis ball, plastic stick etc) they use to play cricket with that.

Few days back I went to Meradia (Dhaka, Bangladesh) to see Kash flower. There I found a wide open area where people (especially young boys) are playing. And not a single person was playing cricket. All were playing football!

What are you doing Bangladesh Cricket Team? Why people are becoming fed up with you guys? Bangladesh Cricket Board should take good care and right decision with them...

Our cricket team

When Bangladesh Cricket team gets test status, I stopped supporting other countries team. Even now a day I don’t like to see any cricket if Bangladeshi team isn't playing. First, we only hope and pray that our team should be able to make some score. Then this team gives us faith that they can win too with big teams. Obviously we start hopping that there is no looking back. But situation changed or never built. Now we only hope that our team shouldn't get lost badly… what situation they build for us!

The only thing we want from them is to try hard and never give up. Its cricket, game can be changed any minutes, just keep trying. Are we (Bangladeshi) asking too much?

My son’s theory on Cricket balls and football

Here Shafeen used a train as a bat and football as a cricket ball. He was 2 years and 8 months old.

Everyone has their own theory on games, my son had too. He believes cricket ball should be bigger like football. Because we had to hit it with bat, so it had to be bigger that a batsman can easily aim and hit. Football plays with legs so can be easily played with small balls.