Reminiscence: My first match

Interestingly, I grew up within the three-kilometre-radius of the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. I did go to watch matches -- both ODIs and Tests, but for some mysterious reason, I could not recollect any of those memories even going deep down the memory lane. Or maybe I just cannot pull out any of those memories buried so deep down under a huge pile of dust in my mind!

However, I do remember, vividly, the memories of catching a live match on TV for the first time even though I was just a five-year-old kid at that time.

We (my family) had just moved to Dhaka, thanks to my father's job transfer. We had bought a brand new black and white TV to watch the 1998 FIFA World Cup, which was taking place in France. The match in question was between Brazil and Morocco. My father woke me up at midnight and it was then that I was first introduced to Ronaldo, 'the phenomenon'. The legendary Number 9 scored a goal at the very beginning of that game. That part is so vivid in my memory that I can still see it every time I close my eyes. It was also that night that I fell in love with sports.

Going back to what I had intended to write -- my experience of catching a live match from a sports venue. I went to watch many matches but maybe nothing extraordinary happened in those matches that could leave a lasting print in my memory. But let me share the story of the match that had increased my eagerness tenfold to keep going to the stadium repeatedly.

The year was 2010 and I was a college student back then. New Zealand were touring Bangladesh. I had bought tickets for the second ODI but unfortunately that game was washed out. Brushing aside the disappointment, I once again managed tickets for the fifth and final ODI for myself and two of my friends. And luck was on our side that day.

Seats for spectators were not installed yet at the Mirpur stadium, also known as the 'home of cricket'. A number of galleries also did not have sheds above them. One part of the gallery was covered with canopy.

Crowd had come in huge numbers to watch that game, which was not at all surprising as Bangladesh were on the verge of completing a whitewash, a record that was still to be made against a cricketing powerhouse.

The cricket lovers of this country surely remember the result of that match. The Kiwis had Bangladesh folded for a low total, but Bangladesh bowlers did a very good job to keep things tight from the very beginning. Rubel Hossain, in particular, was in magnificent form.

The Kiwis required eight from the final over and the Tigers needed to scalp the visitors' final wicket. You could cut the tension with a knife seeing Rubel stepping up to bowl the final over, with Kyle Mills on strike. My friends and I were silent, just praying for Bangladesh to win.

It did not take long for the Almighty to heed to our prayers. Rubel uprooted Mills' stumps with an inch-perfect yorker off the third delivery of the over and the whole stadium erupted with joy. Only one word could be heard -- 'Banglawash' -- as well all joined in the chants.

What I witnessed that day was something indescribable. I remember how we jumped with joy the moment Mills was dismissed. Everyone in the crowd, who had just seen each other for the first time and spent a day watching the game, hugged one another and celebrated the victory. On my way back, I found myself to be a part of the celebratory procession. Such a scenic celebration it was!