Security concerns are growing rapidly at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium premises in Mirpur due to the presence of outsiders.

While some club officials and organisers were seen holding banners on Tuesday demanding justice for the irregularities and corruption committed in the board during the Awami League government, foreigners with no connection to cricket were also seen present on Wednesday.

Bangladesh ‘A’ team has started training following the unrest in the country but the presence of outsiders has created an eerie atmosphere. Some were seen patrolling around the BCB offices, while media personnel occasionally spotted people coming on bikes and entering the stadium building through Gate No. 2 with little or no hindrance.

Security guards appear unsure of who came and went. When questioned about these individuals, security guards were unsure of their identities. “Some of them fought among themselves because there were two groups at the same time,” they said.

“It’s an uncomfortable situation for everyone right now. It’s a transitional time for the country. Let’s see and hopefully after the interim government is formed, things will return to normal,” a BCB official said.

Shahriar Nafees, who is in charge of BCB’s cricket operations, was asked what the overall situation was in terms of security, or lack thereof.

“Most of our players have trained in such situations. We have seen it happen before when there is a change of government. But our squad is aware of the situation. The atmosphere in the whole country is a bit uncertain. Just like the whole country will be back to normal in a day or two and will be functioning normally, we hope the cricket board will also function normally.”

A patrol team of the Bangladesh Army visited the stadium as part of a routine patrol.

“The Bangladesh Army patrol team has been visiting since August 6. This is routine work and not because of any security threat. This is part of their way of maintaining law and order to normalise the situation in the country,” Shariar claimed.