2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Ahead Of Semifinal Against India, Bangladesh Fans Start Dirty Mind Games

While there is absolutely no denying that Bangladesh have taken huge strides in the game in the last few years, one can say that their fans still have a long way to go before they call themselves true sports fans. Just like the other subcontinental countries, cricket is also the most popular game in Bangladesh and the game is driven by a huge fan-base. However, sometimes the cricket-crazy Bangladeshi cricket fans go overboard with their celebrations and they have done it once again.

With their team making it to the semifinal of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy where they will face defending champions India on Thursday (June 15), the fans have once again crossed the fine line between supporting the team and disrespecting the opponent. This time, a derogatory picture photoshopped by the Bangladeshi fans has become the talk of the town. The picture shows a tiger draped in a Bangladesh flag pouncing on a dog wearing an India flag.

This is not the first time that Bangladeshi fans have mocked the Indian players. The rivalry between India and Bangladesh has become heated after the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup quarter-final that saw some close umpiring calls go India’s way.

In 2015, a Bangladeshi news outlet had posted  a photo of half-shaved heads of the Indian players after the Men in Blue struggled against Mustafizur Rahman‘s cutters.

And as if that was not enough, a Bangladeshi fan posted another controversial photo showing fast bowler Taskin Ahmed carrying the severed head of former Indian limited-overs captain MS Dhoni before the Asia Cup final.

Well, Dhoni had made the Bangladeshi fans regret their act by playing a match-winning knock in the final and the Indian team will be once again out to prove their supremacy over Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Thursday. Barring the shocking loss against Sri Lanka, the reigning Champions Trophy champions have looked in red-hot form and will surely walk into the match as the clear favourites. On the other hand, Bangladesh made it to the semifinal with a stroke of luck but the way they have played in recent times, team India cannot afford to take them lightly.