Melbourne Cricket Ground is the world’s number one cricket stadium. The Aussies affectionately call it MCG. They term it a ground instead of a stadium. The next match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be held at this stadium on 26 February, Thursday at 9:30 in the morning. This would be the eighth match of this World Cup Cricket.

I had earlier prayed that natural disaster might ruin Bangladesh-Australia match in Brisbane so that Bangladesh can face Sri Lanka undefeated in this important match. And the Mother Nature of the Aussies granted my wish. As a result still now Bangladesh are in third position in Pool B with three points while Sri Lanka with two points are on fourth position. England came on fifth place with no point at all. Bangladesh are ahead of Sri Lanka even in terms of net run rate. Tigers currently have a net run rate of +2.100 while Sri Lanka have -0.861.

On my visit to Melbourne in 2011, at first I visited this historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with a sense of visiting a place of pilgrimage. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go inside that gigantic stadium since it was already closed in the evening. From a sport shop housed at the stadium’s second floor, I bought an Aussie-cap spending 15 Australian dollar for my cricketer nephew. Quite a good portion of the stadium’s inside could be seen through a glass window of that shop. It was like getting something for free even if you had enough to pay for it.

Bangladeshi Tigers will prance into this great stadium tomorrow.

Dear MCG, I love you. Today I have only one wish — Please put the victory mark on the forehead of Bangladesh at the end of the day. Favour Bangladesh, my dear friend.

Nirmalendu Goon is one of the most popular Bangladeshi poets known for his accessible verse.

Translated by Jakaria Bulbul