It has been two days since the unthinkable happened. Bangladesh U-19 team stamped their authority in front of the world, dethroning India to win the ICC U-19 World Cup 2020 in South Africa on Sunday. The streets will never forget this illustrious success of Bangladesh in global stage. Fans all over the country on Sunday night witnessed greatness unfold. For a moment, a nation stopped breathing.
The victory brought unprecedented celebration on the streets and alleys of different cities of the country. People got out of their cars, while sitting in endless traffic jams, to embrace each other. Some went in search of a nearby TV, whether it was at an electronics store or a clubhouse tent, to celebrate with more strangers. Every Bangladeshi who experienced this World Cup triumph can say that during their lifetime they witnessed their country lifting the World Cup.
It was Bangladesh’s maiden global title not only in cricket, but in any game in country’s sporting history. It was a topsy-turvy rollercoaster ride of a final, and Bangladesh emerged the less giddy of the two teams. Skipper Akbar Ali played the starring role, and he was superb first as captain and wicketkeeper, later with a fabulous effort with the bat to help chase down a low total. It can surely be said that in the final, the captain led his team from the front, steering towards glory in the end.
Akbar now terms this glorious achievement as ‘just the start’, and surely, there is more to come from this incredible bunch of young players. Throughout the tournament, their aggressiveness on the pitch was backed with sheer class in performance as well. Their consistency and togetherness were seen on and off the pitch. Everyone played as a team, from players to coaching staff, no one chased for personal milestones and that did the trick for young Tigers.
On their way to the final, team Bangladesh had different heroes in each match. During final, it was skipper Akbar. Chasing 178 in the final, when Bangladesh were reeling at 102/6, it was skipper Akbar’s tenacious batting which clinched the title for Bangladesh. The Bangladesh players didn’t necessarily produce performances that would dominate the World Cup highlights reel, but you don’t need those to be champions. That’s what worked for them and, perhaps, proved the difference between victory and defeat for India.
