Passports, iPhones, Dollars, and 8 Luggages Missing for Cricketers.

Md. Sohel Rana, Rajshahi Correspondent. ​Eight luggages belonging to the Rajshahi Division cricket team went missing while returning to Rajshahi from Dhaka after playing the second round match of the National Cricket League (NCL). The missing luggages contained the players' passports, a valuable iPhone, US dollars, cash, and sports equipment. ​A written complaint has been filed with the police to recover the missing goods. Rajshahi and Natore district police have jointly launched an operation to recover the lost items. ​On Wednesday, cricketer S.M. Meherob Hossain filed a written complaint with Rajpara Police Station under Rajshahi Metropolitan Police regarding this incident. ​It is learned that members of the Rajshahi Division cricket team returned to Rajshahi by air on Wednesday morning after playing against Khulna Division in the second round of the National Cricket League at Mirpur. Earlier on Tuesday night, a BCB covered van set off by road for Rajshahi carrying 54 luggages belonging to the players. ​Upon arriving at the hotel in Rajshahi on Wednesday morning, it was found that eight luggages were missing while unloading the goods. After confirming the matter, cricketer Meherob Hossain went to Rajpara Police Station and lodged a complaint. ​Meanwhile, after receiving the complaint, police initiated an investigation and interrogated Sajib Hossain, the driver of the covered van. The driver stated that on Tuesday night, while en route to Rajshahi, he stopped the vehicle at a restaurant along the Hatikumrul-Bonpara bypass to have dinner. Later, at around 5:30 AM on Wednesday, he stopped at a filling station in Puthia, Rajshahi, and noticed that the rear door of the van was open. He then closed the rear door and headed for the hotel in Rajshahi. The theft of the eight luggages was discovered later while unloading the items at the hotel. ​According to the complaint filed with the police, cricketer Meherob Hossain's luggage contained his passport, an iPhone 15 Pro Max, 300 US dollars, BDT 300,000 in cash, three bottles of perfume worth around BDT 70,000, and personal clothing. Cricketer Abdul Kader's luggage contained a specialized massage belt worth approximately BDT 60,000, two pairs of shoes, and clothing. Mohor Sheikh Antor's luggage contained a JBL speaker worth around BDT 30,000 and clothing. Cricketer Md. Walid's luggage contained personal apparel. Additionally, four shared team luggages contained various clothing items and equipment used by the players. ​Cricketer Meherob Hossain declined to comment on the matter. However, the team's players expressed deep concern over the loss of important items and passports. ​According to them, their next match against Chittagong Division is scheduled to take place at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium from October 18. Losing personal belongings and cricket gear right before such an important match has left them in severe distress. ​Touhid Tarek, manager of the Rajshahi Division cricket team, said, "We are extremely embarrassed and saddened by this incident. Following the complaint, the police have begun taking action. We have been informed that the police forces of both districts are working in coordination to quickly recover the lost luggages." ​Abul Kalam Azad, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rajpara Police Station, stated that a complaint regarding the missing luggage has been filed. It is suspected that the incident occurred along the highway section within Natore or Rajshahi district. The police of both districts are working jointly, with technological support being provided by Rajpara Police Station. However, the missing luggages could not be recovered as of Wednesday evening.