Each time Bangladesh lost a big match till some years ago, the reaction of the die-hard fans was to go the win-hearts-not-trophies route. At this World Cup, though, Bangladesh are winning hearts and games. And they are gathering new fans with their performances on the field, reports Cricinfo.
Bangladesh have attracted full houses in London, Cardiff, Taunton and Nottingham. In rain-soaked Bristol, the house was packed despite the inclement weather.
The main reason is obviously the increased expectations in the last four years, as well as the rise in the celebrity culture in Bangladesh cricket.
That aside, there is also the small matter of wins over South Africa and West Indies, and good shows against New Zealand and Australia
in losses.
It is perhaps the underdog factor too; led by a captain who dusts himself off and returns to fight another day after yet another career-threatening injury, the team has an opener who has rejuvenated himself in the last four years, a freakish left-arm pace bowler, a plucky wicketkeeper-batsman, a quiet big-hitter and arguably the world's best short-format all-rounder.
Neutrals at most of Bangladesh's matches have tended to support the overwhelming majority of supporters at the ground, the Bangladeshis. The Taunton crowd came up with a local song to cheer on Bangladesh's chase against West Indies, while in Nottingham; there was much sympathy for them as they fell short of Australia's mammoth total.
Shahidul Alam, chief executive of Capital Kids Cricket, an independent body that supports grassroots and schools cricket in London, has been in the UK since 2008.
He thought he had seen it all when fans of the tigers filled up the stands during the 2017 Champions Trophy. However, the World Cup has come as a pleasant surprise.
"There are thousands of cars in the highway but when you see another car with the Bangladeshi flag, and then another, all heading towards the ground, it just makes one proud," Alam said. "I have been watching Bangladesh tour this country since the 2009 World T20s, but never have I seen so much support. I am sure most are passionate about cricket but it is more because of the Bangladesh team. It is now creating a fan base outside Bangladesh, where many expatriates and immigrants are turning towards cricket.
"Normally it is all football when you live here, and British-Bangladeshis are also fond of it, but right now, I think cricket has taken over football, at least for us."
