Hartal in Narail over Mashrafe's exclusion
Narail, Jan 19 (bdnews24.com)Locals in Narail have called a general strike for Thursday protesting the exclusion of Mashrafe Mortaza from the World Cup squad.
Several hundred cricket fans on Wednesday noon demonstrated and brought out a procession in the town over the decision.
Earlier, they burned effigies of the selectors and the coach on the Court Road.
The fans demanded Mashrafe's immediate inclusion into the squad, and threatened to boycott the World Cup and other programmes.
Former Upazila chairman and a local Awami League leader Golam Nabi declared the shutdown on behalf of the locals.
Narail district Jatiya party general secretary Sharif Munir said that people of Narail would go tough if Mashrafe is not included.
Abdul Kader, district BNP general secretary also expressed his frustration and demanded his inclusion.
Bangladesh declared the 15-member cricket World Cup squad on Wednesday noon keeping Mashrafe out.
Bangladesh Cricket Board officials said Mashrafe, popularly known as the Narail Express, had not been included in the team because he was not hundred percent fit yet.