Bangladesh PM condemns attack on Windies

Sheikh Hasina

DHAKA/CHITTAGONG, (Reuters) – Prime Minister Sheikh  Hasina said Bangladeshi fans had “tarnished the image of the  nation” as she condemned the stone-throwing incident at the West  Indies team bus.
Bangladesh supporters in Dhaka reacted with fury on Friday  after the co-hosts were skittled for 58 before slumping to a  nine-wicket defeat by West Indies in a World Cup Group B match.
As West Indies made their way back to the hotel in the team  bus, stones were thrown by angry bystanders who thought the  coach was carrying the home side.

Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina

“They (unruly fans) have tarnished the image of the nation  and none should be allowed to do anything that will lower our  image. I deeply regret the incident,” Hasina told a meeting of  her party today.
“We must accept the match results without any controversy or  bickering. The unruly fans have brought shame on us.”
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal also called on fans to cool  their passions and be patient if the team do not meet their  sky-high expectations.
“I request the fans not to do any silly things,” Tamim told  reporters in Chittagong on Monday.
So far Bangladesh have won one of their three games. They  lost by 87 runs to co-hosts India, beat Ireland before going  down to West Indies.
“We will win some days and lose some days as that is cricket  and they need to support us through good times as well as bad  times,” said the left-hander.
The fans booed the Bangladesh team at the ground and threw  their shoes on to the road in front of their bus on their return  to the team hotel, a huge insult in the country.
The attack on the West Indies team bus was taken very  seriously by Bangladesh security forces and politicians, leading  to the tightening of safety measures including the introduction  of armoured personnel carriers to accompany team buses.
angladesh’s elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)  arrested at least 28 in connection with the stoning of the bus,  though local media said all of them were released on bail.
Police said they also detained a fan in Chittagong on Sunday  for showing his thumbs to Bangladesh players, again a big insult  in the country.
“He (the fan) realised his mistake and was also repentant.  We released him following a request by the players,” Deputy  Police Commissioner of Chittagong told Reuters.
Vice-captain Tamim hoped a good show against England in  their next match on Friday would change the perception of fans  about the Bangladesh team.
“I am sure one good game will change the total scenario and  you will see a different Bangladesh team,” he said.