Sports Desk:

With Bangladesh playing their second T20 International against Pakistan under a cloud of grief following a tragic fighter jet crash that claimed the lives of students, captain Liton Das said, they are playing with heavy hearts.

“We all know that what happened on Monday was not suitable for us. It’s not easy to accept that. We’re playing on Tuesday with heavy hearts,” Liton said after the toss.

“I mean, you know that I’m a parent; I know the feelings. And definitely they feel very sad, and they are too much emotional at the moment. So all we know is we can pray at the moment.”

Pakistan captain Salman Agha also mourned the incident, saying that his prayers go out to those affected.

“It’s a very, very sad incident. And my heart and my prayers go out to them, and we, as a nation and as PCB, stand with that.”

A minute’s silence was held before the match, both teams and officials wearing black armbands, and there is no music played throughout the evening as a mark of respect.

The national flag is flying at half-mast across all BCB venues, including the SBNCS.