Asif Akbar Sees Cricket Positively Amid Chewing Gum and Criticism

In this country, it is not new for cricketers to be trolled on social media due to poor performance or minor habits. Recently, Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper-batsman Zakir Ali Anik has become the target of such trolling. Even though his batting has not been impressive, his constant chewing of gum on the field has caught the attention of fans.

Renowned singer and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Asif Akbar commented on the matter, saying, “The whole country is busy over a piece of chewing gum. The whole country is busy over a run-out. This is an expression of love. It is necessary too.” He added that fans’ criticism is not negative; rather, it reflects their affection for the players.

In the recent three-match T20 series against the West Indies, Bangladesh suffered a complete whitewash. The batsmen consistently failed to perform. In the latest match, West Indies successfully chased Bangladesh’s target of 152 runs, reaching it with 5 wickets and 19 balls to spare. On this day, Zakir managed only 5 runs before being dismissed LBW by Jason Holder.

Earlier, in the second match of the series, Zakir had scored 17 runs off 18 balls. His current form and the reactions on social media clearly reflect this struggle. Fans continue to show keen interest and critique, highlighting the ups and downs of a cricketer’s career.