Poor Mustafiz. Suddenly sports have become an uneasy space with the entry of regional politics of the hostile variety straight into the greenroom. It was of course inevitable because nothing is as cross-regional and cross country as regional sports, and the countries of not just South Asia but the entire world do peep in and out of each other's tent like family members.

But let's face it, there are other bigger families and clans and so the danger of a torch that would touch off a flame that could one day engulf the tents was inevitable.

A match stick called Mustafiz had no idea that his skills as the 'cutter master "which had brought him much wealth and even greater fame would light the spark that would grow into a wildfire. And so, it did and the rest of the story is now part of not just regional but even wider political news making.

And just as many voices said everything about the issue including launching armed attacks to retrieve national pride etc, Mustafiz was forgotten as expected and international relations intervened. "Poor"- one without much money I mean - fellow. All that money must have been his pension and he lost it for no fault of his bowling. He had become a pawn in a situation for which he was hardly responsible for.

To put it cruelly, just like his deadly cutters in the 19th over of a T 20 when he keeps even the scariest hard hitter quiet, Mustafiz was hit by one deadly bowl and he had no answer to it. My sympathies, what else can I say.

New uncertainties

We keep on hearing about the mighty uncertainties of cricket matches but life in the professional world of sports is becoming somewhat similar too. Scary if you ask me. It's also true that its cricket and that is -to repeat a cliché - where all the rivalry lies. So, it's certainly not about Mustafiz, we all know that.

It's a bit about cricket but a bit about IPL shine too. And BPL's lack of shine too which is bland and stale while IPL's millions shimmer and glow. And that's where we stop because the rest is not very interesting.

However, it's a fact we discussed cricket uncertainties a lot on Facebook. Meanwhile, players protested the remarks of a BCB Director who briefly resigned, returned after being cleared and then wonder of wonders Sakib-al-Hasan returned. How, don't ask me, I have no idea. Through which path was a 'villain" allowed normal wings to fly around beats me but if it makes BD men's cricket look, feel and be better than what it is now, oh, man wow.

These are the kinds of uncertainties that gives it a really good name and shine.

WTF is Futsal and who is this super star Sabina?

So while all this grand posturing was on, FB posts and speeches were droning and everyone had discovered a new interest in international relations, a bunch of Bangladeshi girls, led by the discarded women's soccer team player because of fights with the coach Butler- his name not his profession- was winning match after match against everyone in the first SAFF futsal championship. And what exactly is futsal?

"Futsal is a fast-paced, 5-a-side indoor soccer variant played on a small, hard court with a smaller, low-bounce ball. Originating in 1930s Uruguay, it is governed by FIFA and focuses on technical skill, quick passing, and close control. Matches feature two 20-minute halves with stopped clocks for ball-out-of-play situations. "(Gemini AI)

It has blown up in popularity since 2018 and because of its quick pace, requiring little space and general convenience is being played everywhere. Given the shrinking number of large soccer pitches, futsal they say is the future.

SAFF Futsal Championship 2026

But what Bangladesh and Sabina and her team do at the SAFF championship was whack everyone and become champion beating Maldives by 14-2 in the final which is one of the biggest ever victories.

I mean face it. Though it's hard to accept, Bangladesh girls are fantastic. Having taken the SAFF football championship last year they have taken the inaugural futsal this year. And they thrashed India and Pakistan by large margins making sure all pro-this and that country groups on FB are unhappy.

As for the men's futsal team, let's just say they had difficulty winning as a few balls were missing in their games. Ah, well.

While social media is still playing Mustafiz. I mean cricket and ICC and the rest, we have victories to celebrate at levels we never usually reach unless they are women or girls. BFF has promised of course -embarrassed by the loss of men in the same tournament- a big celebration but it's an official rather than a social event. Bangladesh is a male it seems.

It doesn't matter anymore. But while we are at it, could we get a Waiter to join the futsal party. After all, we already have a Butler for football.