A family of four from Dhaka had planned weeks ahead to catch the India-Bangladesh Test at the Eden Gardens but nothing could have prepared them for the “electrifying” atmosphere they were witness to on Friday.

Shabbir Ahmed, 57, a senior employee of a bank in Dhaka, wife Fahmida Khondaker, son Ahnaf Ahmed, a World Bank employee, and daughter-in-law Tanveena Zafrin, an interior designing student, reached the city on Thursday. They will fly back home on Saturday and return to work the next day.

“We keep coming to Calcutta but this is our first time at Eden. There is so much energy here. One has to be present here to feel it and soak it all in,” said Ahnaf, who was staying a hotel near New Market.

“When we came here this morning we found so many others who had come from Bangladesh just for the match. It was great,” said Shabbir.

The family missed seeing their favourite player Shakib-al Hassan in action because he has been banned from all forms of cricket. “It’s a pity he could not play. It would have made our experience perfect,” Shabbir said.

Not only does the family keep going to Mirpur Stadium in Dhaka to catch the action, but travels for the game, too. Lord’s is among their favourite grounds. Eden is a close second now, they said after Friday’s experience.

“We plan to be back at Eden soon,” Ahnaf said.