"I get emotional when I think about him" - Bangladesh A skipper Anamul Haque opens up on losing his friend amid violent protests
Bangladesh A captain Anamul Haque recently expressed his sorrow at losing his dear friend Akram in the ongoing protests in the country. The wicketkeeper-batter said the late friend was like a brother to him and that he gets quite emotional thinking about him.
The ongoing student protests have sparked widespread tensions in Bangladesh, leading to the fall of the government. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country, forcing the military to take over as they will form an interim government soon.
Speaking ahead of departing for Pakistan to play their A team, known as Pakistan Shaheens, Haque said he wouldn't wish the pain his friend went through on anyone. As quoted by ESPNcricinfo, he said:
"I think you have heard that a friend, who was like a brother to me, died in the protests. We were very close. I get emotional when I think about him. I wish this tragedy and trauma doesn't happen to anyone. I was in Chattogram, so I couldn't reach my family in Dhaka. Everyone was touched by this tragedy in some capacity."
The 31-year-old recalled seeing chaos on the streets of Bangladesh and said all everyone wants is peace.
"I was up from 2am to 5am. I was taking care of my child. I went down to see what was going on. I saw many people in the streets, guarding their property. I don't know what these people want. We don't want to live like this. We want to live in peace. Everyone deserves their fundamental rights. I think we all work honestly," he added.
Protesters have gone to the lengths of destroying the former PM's property. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hassan Papon's whereabouts are also unknown.
"Cricket is a place of emotion" - Anamul Haque
Haque feels the upcoming Test series against Pakistan could be a distraction for people in Bangladesh. He hopes to see their batters take advantage of the friendly conditions.
"Cricket is a place of emotion. It unites us. This tour will really help us, especially the Test tour that follows in Pakistan. There will be batting-friendly conditions there generally. It gives chance to both sides. We are playing Tests after a long time too. I think we could give everyone something to cheer about," Anamul Haque said (via ESPNcricinfo).
The two-Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh gets underway on August 21 in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh A will lock horns against the Shaheens in two four-day and three one-day fixtures.