Summary:
- Violent protests and arson erupted at Mirpur Stadium on January 2, 2025, as frustrated cricket fans unable to secure BPL tickets vandalized ticket counters and set one ablaze.
- Law enforcement, including Army and RAB personnel, were deployed after crowds broke through barricades when they discovered tickets were unavailable at Mirpur’s swimming complex by 11:30 AM.
- The BCB’s ticket distribution system, primarily through online sales and Madhumati Bank branches, proved inadequate to meet fan demand, leading to widespread frustration.
- This incident follows previous disturbances, including the December 30 vandalism at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium where fans obstructed Khulna Tigers captain’s vehicle.
Violent protests erupted at Mirpur Stadium on January 2, 2025, as cricket fans, frustrated by their inability to secure tickets for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), resorted to vandalism and arson. The incident marks an escalation in the ongoing ticketing crisis that has plagued the tournament since its opening.
Tensions reached a breaking point when large crowds gathered at Mirpur’s swimming complex, where the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had arranged ticket distribution. By 11:30 AM, the situation deteriorated rapidly as fans discovered tickets were unavailable. What began as verbal protests quickly escalated into physical confrontation, with angry supporters breaking through barricades and vandalizing ticket counters.
Law Enforcement Response
“Some agitated people who were waiting for BPL tickets vandalised a boot after being denied tickets and an unwanted situation arose,” confirmed Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Mirpur Division Deputy Commissioner Maksuder Rahman. Additional security forces, including Army and RAB personnel, were deployed to restore order after protesters set a ticket counter ablaze.
The incident follows a series of similar disturbances that have marred the tournament’s eleventh edition. On December 30, spectators vandalized the main gate of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, even obstructing Khulna Tigers captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz’s vehicle.
Ticketing System Under Scrutiny
The BCB’s ticket distribution strategy, primarily relying on online sales and select Madhumati Bank branches, has faced severe criticism. A temporary arrangement for counter sales was implemented on December 31 due to bank holidays, but this proved insufficient to meet the overwhelming demand.
The recurring nature of these incidents has raised serious concerns about the tournament’s organization. The situation has been further complicated by reports of non-payment issues involving BPL franchises, adding to the tournament’s mounting challenges.
As law enforcement maintains heightened security presence around the stadium, the BCB faces mounting pressure to overhaul its ticketing system and address the fundamental issues that have led to these repeated disturbances. The incidents have cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebration of Bangladesh’s premier cricket tournament.
Source: TBS News
