By Zainab Shafiq 
In a bizarre turn of events, Malaysian authorities have thwarted an attempt by 15 men in jerseys to enter the country, faking Bangladesh cricket team. The group, clad in cricket jerseys and armed with a dubious invitation letter, was detained at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 17 by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS).
The men claimed they were in Malaysia to participate in a cricket tournament scheduled from March 21 to 23. However, their story quickly unravelled when AKPS officials discovered that the invitation letter, allegedly issued by Penang Cricket, was fake. Further investigation revealed that no such tournament was on the calendar.
Men Faking Bangladesh Cricket Team Under Legal Trouble
Adding to the suspicion, the group’s so-called “guarantor,” who was present at the airport, admitted he had no knowledge of any cricket event. He revealed he was merely a company representative, raising more questions about the group’s true intentions.
AKPS officials confirmed that the men failed to provide any evidence proving they were a legitimate cricket team. As a result, the immigration department issued a “Not To Land” (NTL) notice, effectively barring their entry into Malaysia.
This incident highlights the growing issue of individuals misusing sports visas to gain entry into countries for undisclosed purposes. AKPS has vowed to take strict action against such attempts, emphasizing the importance of thorough verification processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The 15 men are now set to be deported, serving as a cautionary tale for those attempting to exploit sports-related visas. Meanwhile, Malaysian authorities remain vigilant, ensuring that only genuine travellers with valid documentation are allowed into the country.
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