Bangladesh’s recent political and social unrest has had a profound impact on its cricketers. Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan actively participated in the protests, facing police pursuit in Dhaka. Akbar Ali and Kamrul Islam Rabbi openly supported the student movement from its inception.
Anamul Haque, the Bangladesh batter, endured a personal tragedy when his close friend Akram was killed in the Dhaka student protests on July 25. Leading Bangladesh A in two four-day games against Pakistan A in Islamabad, Anamul shared his harrowing experience during the protests.
“Losing contact with my family during the protests was traumatizing, especially after my friend’s death,” Anamul said. “I was in Chattogram and couldn’t reach them in Dhaka. This tragedy affected everyone in some way.”
Like many in Dhaka, Anamul faced sleepless nights as uncertainty and chaos gripped the capital. “I was awake from 2am to 5am, taking care of my child,” he recalled. “I went out to see what was happening and witnessed people guarding their property. We don’t want to live like this. We deserve peace and fundamental rights.”
Anamul praised the students for managing Dhaka’s traffic in the absence of the police force. “They’re doing an extraordinary job, maintaining discipline,” he said. “This is the country we’ve always wanted.”
Regarding the silence of Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza, two prominent Bangladesh cricketers and Awami League MPs, Anamul remained diplomatic. “It’s up to the individual whether they want to speak out,” he said. “I was focused on my family and my friend’s family. I wrote about him on social media, but others may have different perspectives.”
Anamul expressed hope that Bangladesh A’s tour of Pakistan would provide valuable preparation for the senior team’s upcoming Test series. “Cricket unites us,” he said. “This tour will help us, especially the Test series in Pakistan. We’re playing Tests after a long time, and we hope to bring some cheer to our fans during these challenging times.”
