A chaotic scene unfolded outside the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on the opening day of the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), as thousands of cricket fans struggled to obtain tickets. Despite the ticket booths being empty, long queues formed outside the counters with many unaware that no tickets would be sold there. The situation turned volatile as frustrated spectators attempted to force their way into the stadium, leading to clashes with law enforcement.

The unrest began early in the morning, with angry crowds gathered outside the main gate of the stadium, particularly in front of the ticket counters. With no tickets being sold at the designated booths, people’s patience wore thin, and in a desperate attempt to enter, they tried to break down the stadium’s large iron gate. This led to a confrontation between the crowd and law enforcement, with police engaging in a baton charge to disperse the crowds.

The issue began when spectators, including those hoping to watch the opening match of the tournament, were unaware of the ticket sale procedures. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had announced that tickets for the opening day’s matches would be available only through their new online portal and at seven selected branches of Madhumati Bank. However, this information had not reached many fans, who continued to queue at the regular counters.

By the time the tickets were made available for sale, there was growing frustration among the fans, particularly those who had waited in line for hours. A violent outburst occurred at the Madhumati Bank’s Mirpur branch, with fans vandalizing the premises after being informed of the limited ticket availability. Outside the stadium, a large crowd continued to gather throughout the day, some hopeful, others growing increasingly agitated as the match time approached.

The situation grew more intense as, despite prior announcements, large crowds of ticketless spectators surrounded the stadium’s main entrance. The unrest was exacerbated by the absence of clear communication from the BCB regarding ticket availability. Many fans, like Rezaul Suman, who had queued from early morning at the regular counter, were left disappointed upon learning that tickets would not be sold there.

The chaos reached a peak when spectators started to rip up promotional banners and posters set up for the BPL. As the protests escalated, some tried shaking the iron gates in an attempt to break through. Security personnel, initially slow to respond, were eventually forced to take action when the situation threatened to spiral out of control. In the face of rising tensions, police and BCB volunteers began baton charging the crowd to restore order.

As the protests continued, the team bus of Durbar Rajshahi, one of the competing teams, found it difficult to enter the stadium due to the crowd. With no clear path through the main gate, the team was diverted through an alternate route, a situation that further angered the spectators. Several other rounds of confrontation occurred, with police responding to the crowd’s actions, which included throwing stones and other objects in retaliation.

Among the many frustrated fans, some were concerned about their ability to enter the stadium with their families. Rajibul Haque, who had bought his ticket online, was unsure whether he needed to collect a physical ticket from the bank, causing him anxiety despite having pre-purchased his ticket. Once he received confirmation, he was able to join the line to enter the stadium.

By the afternoon, the situation began to stabilize as the BCB opened all the gates to the stadium, allowing fans who had pre-purchased tickets either online or through the bank to enter. Spectators were allowed entry by presenting either a printed or mobile version of their ticket, which was scanned at the gate. However, despite the earlier turmoil outside, the stands inside the stadium remained relatively empty until shortly before the match between Fortune Barishal and Durbar Rajshahi began.

While the BPL opening day was expected to be filled with excitement, the scene outside the stadium was a stark contrast to the empty stands within, highlighting the disorganized ticketing process and the resulting frustration among fans. The BCB’s handling of ticket distribution, particularly the lack of communication regarding where tickets could be obtained, has raised questions about the smooth operation of future events.