Emotional message from Naim Sheikh, backed by Nasir Hossain

Following Bangladesh’s disappointing whitewash defeat in the ODI series against Afghanistan, the Tigers returned home to face more than just the pain of defeat — they were met with harsh reactions from angry fans. Despite an impressive T20I series win earlier, the team failed to replicate that form in the ODIs, losing all three matches convincingly. Upon returning to Dhaka on Thursday night, several players faced verbal abuse, slogans, and even aggressive behavior from frustrated supporters at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

In the wake of that incident, opener Naim Sheikh expressed his disappointment and heartbreak in a Facebook post. He wrote that such hostility from fans deeply hurt him, emphasizing that players draw strength from supporters’ love — not hatred.

Naim’s post read,

“Assalamu Alaikum. When we step onto the field, we don’t just play — we carry the name of our country on our chests. The red and green flag isn’t just worn; it runs in our blood. Every ball, every run, every breath is an effort to make that flag proud. Yes, sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail — that’s the reality of sports. We understand fans feel pain and anger when we lose, because they love this country just as we do. But the hatred and attacks we faced today truly hurt. We are humans — we make mistakes — but our love and effort for the country never falter. We always try to bring smiles to your faces. We ask for love, not hate. Let criticism be logical, not emotional. Because we are all children of the same flag. Win or lose, may the red and green always be our pride, not our resentment.
🇧🇩 We will fight, we will rise again — for the country, for you, for this flag. In Sha Allah.”

Former Bangladesh cricketer Nasir Hossain also voiced his thoughts on Facebook, standing in solidarity with the current players. In his post, he reminded everyone that cricketers are human beings — not robots devoid of emotions.

Nasir wrote, “We are cricketers, but above all, we are humans made of flesh and blood — not robots without feelings. When we win, 17 crore people celebrate. So why should only 11 players bear all the pain when we lose? Does anyone intentionally want to lose? If joy can be shared, can’t we also share a bit of empathy in tough times? Instead of hurtful words that crush confidence, can’t we give encouragement to help them bounce back?
In Sha Allah, with Allah’s will, we will perform better in the future. Wins and losses are part of the game, but we must not break. We want to come back stronger and need the love, prayers, and support of our 17 crore people.”