Visa restrictions impact visiting fans turnout for India-Bangladesh cricket series
The upcoming cricket series between India and Bangladesh is set to experience a significant decrease in traveling fans due to visa restrictions. The political unrest in Bangladesh, following student protests against a controversial government job quota system, has led to the indefinite closure of all Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in the country. These circumstances have made it challenging for Bangladeshi fans to secure visas and travel to India for the two-match Test series. Here's more.
IVACs offer limited services amid political unrest
In the wake of the political turmoil, some IVACs have resumed operations but are only offering limited appointment slots for Bangladeshi nationals. These services are exclusively available to those needing urgent medical or student visas. This restriction will prevent a majority of fans from traveling to India for the Test series, further reducing their presence in the stands during matches.
Die-hard fan navigates visa hurdles to support team
Despite these challenges, some dedicated fans are finding ways to support their team. Shoaib Ali Bukhari, also known as 'Tiger Shoaib,' is a prominent figure among Bangladesh's cricket supporters. Known for his tiger-themed body paint at matches, Bukhari has been following the Tigers for over 12 years. When faced with visa difficulties due to the embassy closure in Bangladesh, he traveled to Maldives for his application reprocessing.
Bukhari's journey to support Bangladesh in India
Bukhari shared his experience, stating, "I am currently in Maldives to apply for the visa from here because there isn't much crowd here and it doesn't even have the concept of serial numbers." He has already applied on September 16 and plans to return to Dhaka on the 18th. If he secures a flight to Chennai on that day itself, he will arrive either on the 18th or 19th.
Medical tourists and journalists to join Bukhari
Upon his arrival in Chennai, Bukhari will be joined by a few of his compatriots, primarily medical tourists. Approximately 15 Bangladeshi journalists, whose visas were facilitated by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), are also expected to attend. A few more reporters may join if they receive their visas on time. Despite these challenges, the passion for cricket remains strong among Bangladeshis.
