Chaos over BPL tickets was evident yesterday as fans staged a protest march accusing the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of “negligence” regarding ticket sales.
However, things escalated on Monday, the opening day of the BPL. Frustrated fans, unable to secure tickets, broke down Gate No. 2 of the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium. In the midst of this unrest, some fans even stopped the personal car of Khulna Tigers’ captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Yesterday, BCB announced that tickets would not be sold at any booth near the stadium. Instead, tickets would be available online at www.gobcbticket.com.bd and at designated branches of Madhumati Bank. However, fans who failed to get tickets at the bank branches turned their anger into action today. The vandalism at Gate No. 2 also disrupted team buses, forcing them to enter the stadium through Gate No. 4 instead.
The situation eventually required police intervention with baton charges to restore order. Things have since calmed down. The first match of the BPL between Durbar Rajshahi and Fortune Barishal is scheduled for 1:30 PM today, followed by Dhaka Capitals vs. Rangpur Riders at 6:30 PM.
The trouble began yesterday when BCB failed to announce ticket details until noon. On the eve of the tournament, many fans gathered at ticket booths near Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, only to find them closed. Frustrated, fans began protesting and eventually forced open Gate No. 2, entering the stadium complex.
Later, BCB issued a press release outlining ticket details. Ticket prices range from BDT 200 to BDT 2,000, and they are available online or at seven Madhumati Bank branches in Mirpur-11, Motijheel, Uttara Jasimuddin, Gulshan, Dhanmondi, Kamrangirchar, and VIP Road Paltan. Ticket sales began at 4 PM yesterday and continued until 7 PM, while sales resumed today at 10 AM.
