No V-Day match; cricketers pay tribute on social media

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) could not arrange the traditional Victory Day cricket match this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.  

The Victory Day cricket match was first organised in 1972 in memory of the Liberation War martyrs and has since been an occasion for former cricketers to regroup and play cricket -- not for winning, rather to remember the sacrifice of the martyrs.   

"We could not arrange the Victory Day cricket match this year keeping in mind the health safety of the participants amid the coronavirus pandemic. I personally am missing playing in this exhibition match as this used to be an occasion for us to be reunited and enjoy with many former cricketers," said former Bangladesh captain and the BCB's cricket operations chairman Akram Khan. 

The exhibition cricket match, played between two sides -- Shaheed Mushtaq XI and Shaheed Jewel XI -- used to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur in recent years. 

Shaheed Jewel, who was an attacking right-handed opening batsman for Azad Boys Club, was one of the first active cricketers of erstwhile East Pakistan to take up arms and join the fight for freedom.

After a heroic nine months in the battlefield, he was captured by the Pakistan army towards the end of the War and was killed just days before Bangladesh became independent. Shaheed Mushtaque was a devout cricket organizer of the same club.

On the blood-splattered night of March 25, 1971 Mushtaque was shot dead by the Pakistan army near his beloved Azad Boys Club which was then situated in Dhaka's Gulistan.

Even though the former players did not have the chance to celebrate the day in their usual traditional way this year, many Bangladesh cricketers did not forget to share the joy of the day with their fans.  

Cricketers took to social media to pay their respect to the martyrs and freedom fighters. 

"We celebrate victories on the field every now and then, but none would've been possible without the victory we achieved on December 16, 1971. Every ball I face, or every run that I score, I do it with pride because I represent my nation. I can proudly wave my flag and say I am a PROUD BANGLADESHI. Happy victory day motherland. Salute to all the freedom fighters," wrote Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqu Rahim on his Facebook page. 

Former Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who is also an elected Member of Parliament (MP) from Narail-2, also paid his respect towards the 'brave martyrs of 71'. 

"It is not just a flag for me; this is my existence, my feeling, my love. I will want to return under the shadow of this flag even if I die. I am proud of being a Bangladeshi. My humble respect and love for all the brave martyrs of '71," wrote Mashrafe posting a picture of Bangladesh flag on his Facebook page.