The remarkable victory of the under 19 ICC 2020 World Cup by Bangladesh in South Africa on Sunday has created history as the nation enters in the club of U19 World Cricket champions. The win earns Bangladesh unprecedented prestige and reputation never before witnessed.
Sunday’s world cup win was so overwhelming that appreciations started to outburst from all corners of the world, even the cricket pundits who once hesitated to acknowledge Bangladesh’s strengths, admitted that the Tigers have real potentials. The unbeaten cricket champion confronting four-time champions - heavy weight India was not an easy task as the Bangladesh skipper clearly mentioned in his post-match presentation interview.
Many believed that India would lift the cup when halfway Bangladesh lost four crucial wickets in short intervals. However, the starving Tigers maintained cool head while executing their plans to exhaust all Indian bowlers until Bangladesh was in full control to knock India down.
Meanwhile, the historic win draws the attention of the world media as praises poured in from the moment Bangladesh lifted the World Cup. Many of the sports online journals and newspapers admired Bangladesh’s sportsmanship describing them as ‘highly ambitious’ Bengal Tigers’.
The stunning win over giant India was no surprise as the world media mentioned how dangerous the Tigers appeared. Many hardline sports critics compared Bangladesh with cricket giants like, India, Australia and England and analyzed to mention how Bangladesh youngsters emerged as stylish cricketers.
Following are some selected comments of the world media sharing their appreciation and congratulating Bangladesh team. Popular cricket-based website Crickbuzz writes: “What a high electric final we witnessed. Both Bangladesh and India pushing each other to the limit, it was a real intense game that an avid cricket fan loves. So much better than a massive run chase on a batting beauty.”
“If the Indians were honest enough, they would agree Bangladesh were the better cricketing side today. Their pacers were so off colour compared to their peers. The batting wasn't all that great either. It was Jaiswal with the bat and Bishnoi with the ball. The rest weren't really upto the mark, unlike Bangladesh who hunted as a group,” crickbuzz reports.
It adds, “The crackers go off in the background. Akbar Ali collects the trophy, his team-mates swarm around and the celebration begins. They all are eager to get a piece of the trophy. All smiles as they enjoy these moments which they are going to remember for a long, long time.”
British news agency BBC’s headline was ‘U19s Cricket World Cup: Bangladesh beat India in final to win first title’. In the report, BBC writes: “Bangladesh won the U19s World Cup for the first time after humbling heavy favourite India in the final in Potchefstroom, South Africa. India were unbeaten on their run to the final but their batting fell flat against Bangladesh's pace bowlers.”
Popular cricket-based news portal ESPNCrickinfo’s headline was ‘Being a team, and not chasing personal glory, does the trick for Bangladesh’ “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,” writes espncrickinfo.com.
India Today headlines, “Bangladesh stun defending champions India to clinch maiden U19 World Cup title” In the report, the popular newspaper writes: “Bangladesh U19 cricket team won their maiden U19 World Cup title after stunning defending champions India on Sunday. Opener Parvez Hossain Emon and skipper Akbar Ali rose to the occasion with a solid 7th wicket stand, helping Bangladesh overcome the 170-run target with 23 balls to spare.”
Another popular Indian daily The Hindu’s headline was: “Bangladesh stuns India; lifts maiden world title” “A sprightly bunch of Bangladesh boys created history by winning their country’s first global cricket title, shocking defending champions India by three wickets in the summit clash of the ICC U-19 World Cup in Potchefstroom on Sunday, writes The Hindu.
“In a low-scoring final, Bangladesh first choked India to a meagre 177 in 47.2 overs and then did well enough to score revised target of 170 in 42.1 overs under Duckworth-Lewis method,” the newspaper adds.
Hindustan Times’ headline was ‘Bishnoi’s heroics in vain as Bangladesh beat India to clinch maiden U19 World Cup title’. In the report, it says, “Shesh kore asho! (Finish it boys!), Richard Stoinier’s heavily accented Bengali could have been forgiven for all the nerve-racking emotions that his team was going through against India in the U-19 World Cup final here. In a tense dugout, Bangladesh’s strength and conditioning coach from England seemed to be the most animated one. Stoinier had every reason to be so. In a match that had every element of a great humdinger, Bangladesh, chasing 178, were left with just three wickets and captain Akbar Ali the only batsman of some repute when they needed 35 more to topple defending champions and four time-winners India.”
The report adds: “Ali traded with caution. He kept the strike and talked with Rakibul Hasan at the other end after every ball. They were so close to history and yet the title clash had seen so many streaks of their senior team, of that of losing steam right at the moment when things tend to go their way. But Sunday was different. Ali and Hasan took Bangladesh to 163/7 with 15 needed off 54 balls when rain halted play.”
“Once play resumed after rain, target was revised to 170 and with seven runs to get and three wickets in hand, it became a cakewalk for the ‘Tiger Cubs’ as they scripted a golden chapter in their country’s cricket history,” reports Hindustan Times.
Pakistan’s most popular newspaper Dawn’s headline was, ‘Bangladesh win Under-19 cricket World Cup final by 3 wickets’.
In the report, it says, “Bangladesh produced a stunning fightback against defending champions India in Potchefstroom to win the Under-19 World Cup for the first time.”
Popular newspaper from Middle East, Khalij Times writes, “Bangladesh U-19 team rode skipper Akbar Ali's heroic unbeaten knock to stun India and win their maiden World Cup by three wickets via D/L method in a nerve-wrenching final, interrupted by rain towards the end, here on Sunday. Akbar remained not out on 43 off 77 balls (4x4, 1x6) and showed nerves of steel at his young age with Rakibul Hossain (9 not out) who hit the winning runs to break into emotional celebrations.”
Another middle eastern daily Gulf Daily News’ headline was: ‘Bangladesh stun India to claim under-19 World Cup’. “Bangladesh cricket team clinched its maiden ICC Under-19 World Cup title beating favourites India by three wickets yesterday in the summit clash,” the newspaper writes.
Another cricket-based news portal Cricket Times writes: “The first-timers outran the defending champions with ease and captured their maiden title in the prestigious ICC event.”
“The ‘Tigers’ completely outplayed India in the final encounter. After bundling out their neighbors on 177, Bangladesh began to chase the low total. They started pretty well and reached 50 without any loss. It looked like that the ‘Boys in Green’ would quickly get to the set target, but a twist in the story was waiting to greet them,” the Cricket Times added.
Great cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards tweeted: “Hope this inspires the entire world and may this be just one of many more accolades to come. Also, dear India, you have been exceptional so far, keep your heads high. #U19CWCFinal.” Umpire Tom Moody tweeted: “Wonderful moment for @BCBtigers thoroughly deserved this victory.”
Mushfiqur Rahim tweeted: “Alhamdulillah…Ma shaa Allah tigers ....Feeling so proud…big congratulations to our captain Akbar and his team…” Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan tweeted: “Congratulations to #Bangladesh u19 team for winning the World Cup. Must do lot of great things for their cricket. Well tried India #IndvsBan #WorldCup.”
South African legend JP Duminy tweeted: “Amazing scenes here in Potchefstroom as Bangladesh pull off a miraculous victory and are the u/19 world champions.. well fought india.. standard of cricket today and throughout this tournament has been world class.. congrats Bangladesh #U19WorldCup.”
Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal tweeted: “Congratulations to @BCBtigers for being champion of #U19CWC Hard luck to @BCCI .it was an amazing contest between #IndvsBan @ICC.”
The legendary Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev giving his quick reaction to a television channel discussion on Sunday night on the conclusion of the ICC World Cup described Bangladesh’s historic win as ‘deserving’ saying that there are lot to learn from the young boys from Bangladesh. Critically analysing the victory in South Africa on Sunday, Kapil Dev, known as the greatest fast-bowling all-rounder, highly appreciated how the Bangladeshi boys played maintaining calm and planning before every ball they played. While also praising a strong opposition Indian U19 team, Kapil, a former Indian cricket captain, said that the total was short of an ideal total for a final world cup match.