(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Cricket Pauses for Remembrance at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium Following Tragic Plane Crash in Dhaka
Cricket will take on a more reflective tone today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, as Pakistan and Bangladesh pause to honour the victims of a tragic Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crash.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that the second T20I in the three-match series will be played in observance of National Mourning Day. This follows Monday’s devastating incident, where a military aircraft suffered a technical issue shortly after takeoff and crashed into a school and college campus, claiming the lives of at least 20 people and injuring more than 170 others.
In solidarity with the nation, the BCB and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have agreed to several tributes. The national flag will be flown at half-mast at Mirpur and other BCB venues across the country. Players and officials from both sides will wear black armbands, and a minute’s silence will be observed before the start of play. In a mark of respect, the stadium will not play music or celebratory audio during the match.
While the series continues, the focus will be on unity and remembrance. Bangladesh, currently leading the series, will look to secure the win in front of their home crowd, while Pakistan aims to bounce back and push the series to a final decider.
The third and final T20I is scheduled for July 24 at the same venue. For now, today’s match offers a moment for reflection as both teams stand together in support of the grieving nation.
