Mirpur spirit comes alive in Abu Dhabi

Wherever Bangladesh play, the roar of their fans follow. In Mirpur, a sea of red and green waves in unison, and across the globe -- be it Melbourne or Dubai -- small pockets of Bangladesh fans keep that same spirit alive.

On Thursday evening at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, it was no different. Bangladesh opened their Asia Cup campaign against Hong Kong, and even though the opposition wasn't glamorous and the stands looked sparse, a small band of migrant workers turned the concrete galleries into a little Bangladesh.

They had no drums, no trumpets, and no corporate-sponsored fan zones -- only flags draped over their shoulders, painted cheeks, and voices full of unshakable belief.

Al Islam from Narayanganj and Abul Kalam Azad from Brahmanbaria work in Dubai, but on Thursday they left behind their jobs and drove 150 kilometres to Abu Dhabi. "We didn't go to work just to watch. We believe this team will do well," Al Islam said, smiling despite knowing he will have to pay a fine for his absence.

Saiful Ismam, another worker, also risked deductions from his salary. "Inshallah, we will play the final," he declared with conviction.

For these fans, life in the UAE is not easy. They toil long hours in construction sites, shops, and offices, sending money home to families they rarely see. A day off costs them heavily, both in wages and, sometimes, in penalties. Yet on this weekday afternoon, they chose cricket.

Amidst such optimism, there was also a hint of nostalgia. "I miss Shakib Al Hasan a hundred out of a hundred," said Jewel Ahmed, an emotional fan. "The team needs him. But even without him, I believe. This team can fight."

Kamrul, wrapped in a Bangladesh fan, termed Bangladesh captain Litton Das a "true T20 hero". His friends nodded in agreement, tipping Litton, Jaker Ali, and Taskin Ahmed as the pillars of Bangladesh's campaign. "Litton is in superb form -- we expect something big. We enjoy Jaker's sixes. And Taskin is our best bowler. This time, we'll be champions." The crowd may have been small in number, but their passion was boundless. Each cheer, each chant, each raised flag stitched a piece of Bangladesh onto the desert air of Abu Dhabi.