Bangladesh U-19 cricket team made history as the young guns of Bangladesh ousted reigning champions India to win the ICC U-19 World Cup 2020 by 3 wickets (DLS) at Potchefstroom in South Africa on Sunday.
Bangladesh are now the world champions of U-19.
Bangladesh have done what has looked unthinkable for at least the last three years at U-19 level. They have beaten India in an absolute humdinger, and won their first World Cup at any level! They bowled superbly in the morning session, and then started in a frenetic manner with the bat, before Ravi Bishnoi pulled them back with some sensational leg-spin bowling.
However, Captain Akbar Ali kept his cool, and reached the target of 178 with some phlegmatic batting. The Indians, who sank to their knees as the winning runs were struck, could only watch, as the Bangladesh team and support staff took off on a celebratory run over the ground.
Chasing a low scoring total of 178 in a crunch final, young Tigers started off well, through openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan Tamim. Emon and Tamim had a 50-run partnership for the first wicket stand. Tamim then fell after scoring 17. After that Bangladesh were hit by spin wizard Ravi Bishnoi’s terrific bowling. He picked up three wickets in quick succession and put Bangladesh under immense pressure. Wickets started to fall at regular intervals and Bangladesh’s score was 107/6 after 24th over. Opener Emon who was earlier retired hurt, came into the crease again and with skipper Akbar Ali tried to bring Tigers back on track in the run chase. This was the last recognised batting pair for Bangladesh.
Emon was a wounded Tiger, but he was giving his all at the pitch against the dangerous Bishnoi and along with skipper Akbar was trying to take his team towards glory. However, Emon’s fight was ended by pacer Jaiswal, he departed after playing a 47-run innings. At that time Bangladesh needed 35 runs more from 108 balls with just 3 wickets to spare. It was an uphill task for the Bangladesh batsmen from there.
However, skipper Akbar did not give up and was playing like a skipper should do. He along with spinner Rakibul Hasan was again making Bangladesh dream. They were moving the scoreboard quickly and taking Bangladesh closer to victory. Then rain added halted the play at that time Bangladesh needed a further 15 runs for victory from nine overs were ahead of the DLS par score at that moment. But after a short period of time the play started again and the revised target was 170, Bangladesh then needed just seven of 5 overs. Akbar and Rakibul then easily took Bangladesh home and made Tigers the world champions.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Bangladesh skipper Akbar Ali opted to bowl first. His decision bear fruits for the young Tigers as they restricted India to 177 runs. From the start, Bangladesh with their fiery bowling kept Indian batsmen under immense pressure. Pacers Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Avishek Das alongside left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan bowled in good areas and picked up wickets in regular intervals.
For India, tournament's highest scorer Yashasvi Jaiswal, was the solitary fighter for his team. He played a brilliant innings of 121-ball 88. But after his departure during 40th over Indian batting lineup collapsed like the house of cards. The Indians lost the last seven wickets for just 21 runs.
Shoriful in his 10 over spell bagged a brace of wickets for 31 runs. Sakib also scalped two for 28 from 8.3 overs. However, pacer Avishek was the best bowler for Bangladesh, taking three wickets for 40 runs from nine overs.