Usually, only the employers exercise the right to add conditions before offering a job. The job seekers don't get to give conditions, at least not in Bangladesh. In that sense, Bangladesh cricket fan Fahim Rahman definitely stands out. He had joined his current workplace two years ago on the condition that he would be granted a 40-day leave to watch the cricket World Cup in 2023.

This reporter chatted with Fahim in Dharamshala on Saturday. His love of cricket has brought him to this picturesque mountainous region, 2500 kilometres from Dhaka. He will stay in India throughout the World Cup. He will proudly wave the Bangladesh fan and see Shakib Al Hasan and Co in action.

Even when the Tigers play in some remote corners of the world, some Bangladeshi supporters always turn up to watch them play live. In comparison, the city of Dharamshala at Himachal Pradesh is not too far. Still, the delays in obtaining an Indian visa, the arduous nature of the journey and managing personal matters make this lengthy trip a very difficult one.

During Bangladesh's match against Afghanistan, there were many Bangladeshi fans at the stands and all of them had a story to tell about their journey. But among them, Fahim's story stood out.

Fahim is a software engineer employed in Dhaka. He regularly turns up at the stadium to watch Bangladesh play at home. This is the first time he has gone abroad to watch the Tigers play and he had planned this trip well in advance.

"I've been watching matches from the ground since 2012. I've watched 30-40 matches till now. I've always watched matches at home, never gone abroad for a match. When it was announced that the 2023 World Cup will be played in India, I thought to myself that as this was happening in the neighbouring country, so I must go and see the World Cup," Fahim said.

When Fahim made the decision, he was still a student. But he didn't let go of his dream when he joined the workforce.

"Two years ago, I joined Vivasoft Ltd as a software engineer. When I joined, the company's management communicated its rules and regulations, and they asked if I had anything to say. That's when I told them that during the 2023 World Cup, I would require a 30-40-day vacation. Seeing my craze for cricket, they accepted my condition," Fahim said.

"I got more and more anxious as the World Cup drew closer. I had applied for a visa three months ago. But everything was moving at such a slow pace that even a month ago I thought I wouldn't be able to go to India."

A group of Bangladeshi fans in Dharamshala.

Another Bangladeshi cricket fan, Mahfuz Siddique Himalay, plans to visit 18 Indian cities on this tour. He will watch five matches of the Bangladesh team from the stands and spend the rest of his trip observing the Indian culture, heritage, history and architecture. He will write about it on social media and also author a book on his tour.

His well-wishers came up with the funds for his 46-day trip. He posted on Facebook for support for his tour to India, which got a tremendous response.

Mahfuz was present in the gallery during the match against Afghanistan; he will also be present for the England game. However, he is more intrigued by the drama of cricket than the result. His eyes search for characters on the cricket field.

The majority of the Bangladeshi fans in Dharamshala are students, who came from different regions in India.

Punjab University's student Raihan feels that more people from Bangladesh would've come had the process to obtain the visa been less complicated.

"Actually, many people I know were supposed to come, but they couldn't due to the delays in the visa application process. Hopefully, more people will be present for the next matches."

The supporters are going through many adversities on their journey to India with great hopes in their hearts. Almost all the fans are hoping that Bangladesh will qualify for the semifinals. Are Shakib and Co listening?