Today, when Pakistan and Bangladesh pause to honor the victims of a terrible military plane disaster that rocked Dhaka on the day of the second Twenty20 International, cricket will take a backseat to sadness and unity at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Following a devastating Bangladesh Air Force training plane crash on Monday that left at least 20 people dead and over 170 injured, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed that the match, the second of the three-game series, will be played in respect of National Mourning Day. Shortly after taking off, the plane apparently experienced a mechanical issue before crashing into a capital college and school site.
Both cricket boards have pledged to honour the deaths in a spirit of respect and harmony as the country struggles with shock and grief. Players from both teams, as well as match officials, will wear black armbands during the match, and the national flag will fly at half-mast at Mirpur and other BCB locations nationwide. The opening ball will be preceded by a minute’s silence, and during the game, the stadium will not play any music or other celebratory noises.
However, the cricket stakes are still high as Bangladesh aims to win in front of home fans to complete the series. After struggling to control the surface in the opening game, Pakistan will be hoping for a powerful comeback to force a decider in the series.
The series’s third and final match is set for July 24 at the same location, but for the time being, the emphasis will be on a shared moment of dignity and remembrance for all the innocent lives lost rather than intense rivalry.
