Bangladesh fans throw stones at West Indies bus

DHAKA, (Reuters) – West Indies’ bus was struck by  stones thrown by Bangladesh fans after the co-hosts were heavily  beaten in the Cricket World Cup Group B match yesterday.

“A couple of fans threw stones, two hit the window and it  just broke. No one was hurt and we are safe,” the team spokesman  said.

The crowd had reacted angrily earlier after their team were  thrashed by nine wickets by the West Indies after scoring only  58 runs.

“The glass didn’t shatter. It just broke,” the spokesman  continued. “They are back in the hotel.”

West Indies opener Chris Gayle tweeted from the bus:  “Bangladesh stoning our bus!!! Freaking glass Break!!! This is  crap, can’t believe … what next bullets!!!!

“This is ridiculous!!! Damn!!! W Cup with so many security  an this happen!! Big Joke!!! Trust me I’m not keen here!!! …  players lay flat!!!”

Bangladesh’s Elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) later  arrested 10 suspects for throwing stones at the bus, an official  of Rab said.

Fans had dispersed by the evening, a police official told  Reuters.

The incident occurred at an intersection about 400 metres  away from the stadium.

An ICC spokesman said the episode did not result in any  diversion.

“Both buses left the stadium together for the hotel. The  police convoy was never halted and both buses reached the hotel  safely with no injuries being reported,” he said.

NO ARREST

A Bangladesh police officer told Reuters that the fans had  thought the bus was carrying the home team.
“We could not arrest anybody yet but will find out the  culprits,” the police officer added.

“It was done out of frenzy and the fans are now back home.  There is no problem on the street now. Out guest players (West  Indies) have nothing to worry about.”

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Mostafa Kamal said: “I  apologise for the incident and I will ensure that such things  won’t be allowed to recur.”
After Bangladesh were skittled for their lowest ever one-day  international score, angry fans tossed almost everything they  could get their hands on — caps, placards, logos, even jerseys  — to the outfield as a demonstration of their disappointment.

Elsewhere in the capital, fans chanted slogans against the  players, burnt banners and team jerseys at Dhaka University  campus and tossed shoes on the roads — which is a big insult in  the sub-continent — through which Bangladesh players were being  driven back to their hotel.

Frustration spilled out across the country, with many fans  having travelled far to support the team.

“I feel myself as a fool when I think I waited hungry and  sleepless under the open sky for three days to watch this  match,” said Avijit Ghosh.

Kuala Lampur resident Al Amin, who came home to cheer on his  team added: “I came to Dhaka just to see World Cup matches. But  now I realised that watching their game is nothing but wastage  of money and labour.”