Chaos Erupts as Tamim and Mushfiqur Exit Stage with Trophy Amid Overwhelming Crowd in Barisal
Thousands of fans gathered at Bells Park, Barisal, eagerly awaiting the arrival of BPL 2025 champions, Fortune Barisal, with their trophy. However, the celebration quickly turned chaotic due to overwhelming crowds, mismanagement, and sweltering heat, forcing captain Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim to leave the stage abruptly while holding the trophy high.
The event, scheduled for 2 PM, saw fans assembling long before the team’s arrival. However, it was nearly 4 PM when the players finally made it to the stage, by which time the crowd had grown impatient. The moment Tamim and Mushfiqur appeared with the trophy, chaos erupted, leading to an abrupt cancellation of the planned reception and concert.
Earlier in the day, Tamim and his teammates arrived in Barisal by flight, where they were welcomed warmly by Fortune Barisal team officials and an enthusiastic crowd at the airport. From there, the team traveled to the Fortune Barisal office in a bus, accompanied by a motorcycle rally. Throughout the journey, fans lined the streets, waving red flags and capturing the moment on their mobile phones.
At Bells Park, thousands of supporters wearing Fortune Barisal jerseys and waving team flags filled the venue to capacity. However, poor security arrangements and excessive crowding led to discomfort, particularly for women and children. As pushing and shoving increased near the stage, tensions boiled over.
When the players finally appeared, fans—frustrated by long hours of waiting and lack of organization—began expressing their anger. Reports indicate that bottles were thrown toward the stage, and security struggled to contain the situation. Tamim and Mushfiqur, along with other team members, quickly showcased the trophy and exited before the situation could escalate further.
Barisal Police Commissioner Md. Shafiqul Islam acknowledged the mismanagement, stating, “Everything was fine initially, but the lack of proper planning caused frustration among the crowd. The organizers failed to handle the situation effectively.”
Fortune Barisal’s manager Md. Mizanur Rahman admitted that despite prior coordination with authorities, the massive turnout exceeded expectations. A planned concert featuring band star Hasan was also canceled due to the situation.
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Many fans expressed disappointment. Tania Akhter, who arrived with her two children, said, “We waited for hours in the scorching heat, but my children suffered due to the mismanagement.” Another fan, Mehedi Hasan, criticized the event’s organization, saying, “There was no proper security, and delays frustrated the crowd. The situation became unbearable when the players left abruptly.”
Despite the chaos, the event marked another historic moment for Fortune Barisal, as they celebrated their championship victory. However, the disorder raised concerns about future large-scale sporting celebrations in the city.
