At the end of the Under-19 World Cup 2020 final, India's Yashasvi Jaiswal (400 runs) and Ravi Bishnoi (17 wickets) finished as the most successful batsman and bowler of the competition respectively, but the title of world champions went to Bangladesh. That's because, on the big day, it was teamwork that made Bangladesh's dream work, reports ESPNCricinfo.
When Bangladesh captain Akbar Ali walked out to bat in their chase of 178, Bangladesh were 65 for 4 - all four wickets going to Bishnoi - and in the midst of an epic Indian comeback. Entering the match, Akbar had scored only 26 runs in three games and Bishnoi was turning the ball sharply both ways. Akbar had to not only get himself in, but navigate the game while protecting the lesser batsmen at the other end. He did so for 6.5 overs, guiding bowling allrounders Shamim Hossain and Avishek Das, but when both of them were sent back in quick succession, Bangladesh were tottering again at 102 for 6.
But Akbar had one trump card in his ranks. Parvez Hossain Emon, the opener who had retired hurt on 25 due to cramps in the 13th over, had looked in control against the new ball. And he was going to come out if needed. When they met in the middle following Das' dismissal, they could see the clouds overhead turning greyer by the moment. They needed 76 more, and Akbar and Parvez had to score most of them. So they went for the counter-attack with Bishnoi out of the attack. Helped by wides and byes from the Indians, they eked out 41 runs in the next nine overs. As Bangladesh went ahead of the game again, they went from aggressive to defensive. And so, when Jaiswal, the part-timer, was introduced, Parvez looked to break the shackles, only to be caught at cover to depart for 47. But Bangladesh were 143 for 7 by then.
But it wasn't over. In walked Rakibul Hasan at No. 9. With the team ahead of the DLS par score - albeit marginally - and plenty of overs to go, the objective changed for Akbar and Rakibul - stay put. The 35 runs needed, a win would come if they played their cards right. So, through the next 11 overs, Akbar blocked and blocked and blocked. Rakibul would not face more than one delivery per over.
Over by over, Akbar and Rakibul inched closer to the target. As the partnership grew, so did Rakibul's confidence, and Akbar began to rely on his partner a bit more. From facing one ball an over, Rakibul was facing three - he even played out a whole over from the dangerous Bishnoi. Every run took Bangladesh closer to the target.
With 15 runs to win and the team 18 ahead of the DLS par, the rain came down - in the 41st over. But that worked in Bangladesh's advantage because of how slow India's over-rate was. When the teams returned, eight runs were shaved off Bangladesh's target. They came on cue, from Rakibul, and sent the Bangladesh crowd - and players - into ecstasy. For his composed batting in the midst of pressure he had never faced
before, Akbar collected the Player-of-the-Match award along with
the big trophy.
