Loss no big deal

In the 90,000-capacity stadium, more than half was vacant as only 30,000 fans turned up to watch the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka match of the ICC World Cup yesterday, but there was no shortage of festivity in and around the MCG -- the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Sri Lankan supporters' popular musical instruments -- Papare bands -- dominated the stands and their celebrations continued even after the match justifiably as Sri Lanka posted a 92-run victory, but the red and green flags also made their presence felt as it was an occasion for the Bangladeshi fans to celebrate, no matter whether their beloved Tigers had lost the match or not. For them, their long-cherished dream to see the Tigers playing at the famous MCG finally came true. They have been waiting for this day for so long. Many had taken leave from their jobs to be part of this occasion. Many came with their little babies and many defied their old age to be part of it.

A young team arrived in the stadium with a car-rally of two hundred vehicles. To cheer up the team Bangladeshi fans did their best although the Sri Lankans were big in numbers as Melbourne is the most populated place for the Lankans after Colombo. And in the end, the Tigers fans were not disheartened at all though their team failed to rise to the occasion.

"Yes, little bit frustrated with the performance, but we are not disheartened at all. It was a long-cherished dream for me to see our team playing in this ground and today was the day," said Nazrul Hossain.