Dhaka: Desperate times call for desperate measures and colourful cricket superfan Shoyab Ali has had to deploy a full arsenal as he follows his beloved Bangladesh around the globe.
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The 31-year-old Dhaka car mechanic, known at grounds worldwide for his distinctive tiger body and face paint, has injured himself, paid a bribe and spent his life savings to pursue his passion for the game.
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But Ali insists there has been more gain than pain, and he is determined to become a fixture at the World Cup in England cheering on the South Asian nation, who begin their campaign against South Africa on Sunday.
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Ali fixed the car of Bangladesh fast bowler Shahdat Hossain, who gave him a ticket to his first game, which turned out to be a landmark.
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– Shoyab Ali | Bangladesh superfan###
Bangladesh defeated India by five wickets in Dhaka even though Sachin Tendulkar ended his long wait for his 100th international century in the Asia Cup game.
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“After Bangladesh won, I cried in the stand for a long time. I saw the famous Indian fan Sudhir Gautam,” he said, referring to the India superfan who also dons body paint in national colours and has been seen around the world.
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“I decided I will be like him and watch every game Bangladesh plays,” Ali said.
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Since then Ali, who left school at 13, has missed just one home game and not many abroad. It has brought an innings of adventures.
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In his first match abroad in 2013, Ali saw Bangladesh avoid defeat for the first time in a Test in Sri Lanka when they claimed a creditable draw. Before that match, Bangladesh had lost eight Tests in Sri Lanka — seven by an innings margin.
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Ali earns his stripes
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He arrived in Sri Lanka with just $250 in his pocket and spent several nights sleeping in the garage of a Sri Lankan fan. Bangladesh players and officials gave him money for food throughout the tour.
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Travelling to Zimbabwe the same year, Ali left his visa support documents at Dhaka airport.
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In Harare, the Zimbabwean immigration authorities decided to send him back. The tricks started.
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“I bribed an official $10 just to let me make a call. Then I called the Bangladesh team officials to explain my situation.
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“They were at the training ground and promised to see if they could help,” he said.
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“Then I realised no immigration authority would send back a sick man.
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“I hit a wall with my head to make myself collapse and acted as though I was unconscious to buy some time.
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“After spending a night in airport, the Bangladesh officials brought my documents and took me to Harare.”
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Australia would not give him a visa to go to the 2015 World Cup, but now Bangladesh businesses are happy to sponsor his trips and Ali hopes his presence will help the team in England.
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“Bangladesh have won most of the matches when I have watched them. I hope I can bring similar luck for them at the World Cup,” he said.
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Ali said he would continue using his tiger face paint despite warnings that it could damage his health.
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“Many people scare me with skin cancer stories … but I don’t care. Nothing is more important to me than my country,” he said.