My pleasant memories of 2012 Asia Cup - A memorable meeting with superstars

MS Dhoni and me – Dhoni is not only a great cricketer but a very humble person as well

So Bangladesh have ended their Asia Cup campaign in a gloomy manner. They would surely want to forget this disastrous campaign as soon as possible and move forward.

The Tigers had been a shadow of the last Asia Cup where they were a team to watch. From nowhere, they started to deliver one of the best performances and defeated teams like India and Sri Lanka to advance into the finals. But the final had been heart-breaking for Bangladesh. The Tigers lost the final by just two runs and left the nation in tears. But, overall, the last edition of the Asia Cup had been something to relish for every Bangladeshi – it gifted the Bangladeshis plenty of pleasant memories to relish.

But, apart from the Tigers’ staggering performances, the last edition of the Asia Cup had been a special one for me for some other reasons. It had gifted me some exclusive moments – moments which still gives me enough pleasure.

Through Facebook I met a very friendly person from Sri Lanka named Kanagasabapathy Arulmoly. I call him Arul. During the Asia Cup of 2012, Arul visited Dhaka for some official purposes. He was staying at Pan Pacific Sonargoan Hotel, Dhaka. On March 14, 2012, I planned to meet Arul. I came back home from my hospital, tired and exhausted, contacted Arul over mobile to ask when he will be available. Arul told me to meet him at 7 pm.

At 6 pm. I proceeded for Sonrgoan Hotel. It takes almost one hour to reach the Pan Pacific Sonargoan from my home which is in Mirpur as because one has to surpass a terrible traffic-jam to reach there. But when you are about to meet your dearest mate, such traffic-jams don’t bother at all. I didn’t wish to miss the cricketing conversation with Arul who himself has very a sound knowledge on the game and of course, I didn’t wish to miss his friendly banters as well. The guy is very humorous.

So, I reached the hotel at 7:15 pm. I discovered Arul at the hotel lunge. He greeted me with a hug and both of us sat in the Sonargoan lounge and started talking about cricket.

Just opposite to us, we both discovered that the lanky Indian legspinner Rahul Sharma was talking on mobile. Arul informed me that the teams participating in the Asia Cup were staying at the Pan Pacific Sonargoan Hotel. He asked me whether I wished to meet them or not. I replied if possible then why not. But frankly speaking, I didn’t take it seriously as I thought that it might not be possible – the security guys, players’ code conduct issues, their superstar-like-attitude etc, etc. might prevent us from meeting them as because we weren’t any officials but just mere fans.

Arul took me to dinner and as we both walked towards our dinner table, we discovered Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, the Pathan brothers and Praveen Kumar were having dinner and were engaged in a candid chat with each other. Arul and I sat on a table not far from the Indian players. Both mine and Arul’s eyes were searching for Sachin Tendulkar, Shahid Afridi, Kumar Sangakkara and Shakib Al Hasan in the food corner. But they weren’t available there.

While we were talking with each other, I saw Virat Kohli went out of his chair to collect desserts for him. Arul told me to go and request Kohli to have a snap with us. I greeted Kholi with a ‘Salaam’ but he was not in mood to talk with me. Neither was I greeted well by Gambhir. I stepped back.

Then we discovered MS Dhoni, the Indian captain, in the food corner. He was wearing an ash T-shirt and faded blue jeans. Dhoni took a plate, had something to eat and sat alone. Both Arul and I were thinking why MS Dhoni didn’t sit with the Gambhir and co? Was something wrong? But, I guess, mine and Arul’s thinking was wrong. We were thinking negatively and in the twinkle of an eye we brushed away such negative thoughts from our minds. Cricket fans should always think positively.

We came across Pakistan’s highly talented batsman Azhar Ali. I requested him to have a snap with us with a ‘Salaam’ and Ali was very kind enough to accept my request. Then, Arul and I walked towards the pool side. According to Arul, we could discover players relaxing at the pool side.

Arul (R) with Azhar Ali

On our way to the pool side we both discovered Younis Khan in front of the lift. I gave ‘Salaam’ to Younis Khan. He greeted me with a big smile and I requested him whether I can have a snap with him. He said, ‘sure’ and my friend took a snap of mine and Younis Khan. But sadly, Arul wasn’t able to take a snap of himself with Younis Khan as Younis Khan left as soon as the lift came. Sorry mate!

Me with Younis Khan

So, we moved to the pool side and discovered that Misbah-ul-Haq, Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul were relaxing. I requested Misbah-ul-Haq for a snap with us and he agreed not in an encouraging manner. Arul and I had a snap with Misbah and then we proceeded towards Saeed Ajmal. But Ajmal was busy talking on mobile and we didn’t dare to disturb him.

Arul with Misbah-ul-Haq

We requested Umar Gul for a snap and Arul and I were greeted so warmly by him. Umar Gul allowed us to sit beside him to take snaps. Arul and I wished to talk a bit more with Gul but the security guys prevented us from doing such. Both Arul and I were highly satisfied with the friendly attitude of the Pakistani players.

Me with Umar Gul

We left the pool side and on our way to the dinner table we met Irfan Pathan. Pathan was like a giant for me. He was so tall! I greeted him with a ‘Salaam’ and requested him for a snap. He kept my request.

As we returned to our dinner table we found that Dhoni was still sitting alone on the table where Gambhir and co was sitting a few hours ago. I gathered courage and walked towards Dhoni to request him to have a snap with us. As soon as I went closer to Dhoni, Raina, who was sitting near to Dhoni, left the table in a pretty less-warmly manner. I didn’t care about Raina’s attitude, but conveyed ‘Salaam’ to Dhoni. Dhoni replied to my ‘Salaam.’ I asked, ‘Sir, may I have a snap with you?’ Doni said, ‘Yeah, sure!’

My dearest friend Arul took a snap and his first snap was muggy. He requested Dhoni to sit a bit longer so that he could take another snap. Dhoni said, ‘Okay’ with a smile. Arul’s next snap was even muggier. One of the members of the Indian team smiled and so did Dhoni. We both requested Dhoni to stay a big longer. Dhoni gave us time and Arul took another snap. The photo wasn’t clear enough but we decided not to request Dhoni further.

Dhoni left the scene saying, ‘Welcome’ in response to my ‘Thank You.’

He gave us almost 7 and half minutes and there wasn’t any superstar-like attitude from him. He knows how to treat a fan because he’s one of cricket’s humble students. Dhoni’s humbleness amazed both Arul and me. MS Dhoni won both of our hearts.

I returned home with a pleasant heart and kept thinking about how humble Dhoni is! He is not only a great player but as a person he is very good as well.

That evening had been one of the most abiding memories in my life. Meeting players from India and Pakistan have been something relishing and it would have been even more special for both of us if I could meet the Tigers and Arul could meet the Lankan Lions.

This year, I wished to meet the players again. But sadly, I couldn’t manage to do that. Perhaps, this year, I could have experienced another precious moment to relish throughout my life.