Sun Oct 06 15:14:28 UTC 2024: ## Bangladesh Team Skips Mosque Visit Amidst Tight Security in Gwalior
**Gwalior, India:** The Bangladesh cricket team opted out of a planned visit to the city’s Moti Masjid on Friday, choosing instead to offer prayers at their hotel, amid heightened security measures in Gwalior.
This decision comes as right-wing groups called for a “Gwalior bandh” on the day of the first T20I match between India and Bangladesh, citing alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.
While security personnel were deployed around the mosque, a police official confirmed that the Bangladeshi team’s decision to skip the visit was likely made at the team management level. The city’s top Muslim cleric, the ‘Shahar Qazi,’ led the team in their ‘Namaz-e-Juma’ (Friday prayer) at the hotel.
The Bangladeshi team has been practicing at the Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium since October 3rd, and despite the security concerns, they have been moving freely according to their schedule.
More than 2,500 police officers have been deployed for the match, which takes place on Sunday, with police presence extending from 2 pm until all spectators have left. Authorities have also implemented prohibitory orders and are monitoring social media for any inflammatory content.
The Bangladesh team is looking to bounce back from their recent whitewash in the Test series against India. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has expressed his team’s desire to play aggressively and win the T20I series.
The match marks the start of the three-match T20I series. India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, while Bangladesh will be captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Both teams have announced their squads for the series.
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