'Don’t really like U19 cricketers misunderstanding passion' - Aakash Chopra on Sakib-Saxena's verbal spat

The ICC U19 World Cup has finally reached its zenith as India and Bangladesh; the two undefeated sides met in the final of the tournament being played at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. The Indian colts are the defending champions, having won the event in 2018 in New Zealand, while for the Bangla cubs, this is their first appearance in the final.

Bangladesh captain Akbar Ali won the toss and decided to take advantage of the moisture in the pitch due to rains and chose to bowl first. The colts in blue came in unchanged for this all-important final, while Bangladesh chose to bring in Avishek Das in for Hasan Murad. The Bangla bowlers started amazingly well with the ball moving in the air and off the pitch as well. Indian openers had to focus on not losing their wickets, over making runs.

Sakib breathes fire as Saxena goes toe to toe with him

The third ball of the second over bowled by Tanzim Hasan Sakib was played with a straight bat by Divyaansh Saxena. The ball was a big inswinger and the batsman just patted it back towards the bowler and took a few steps to gain balance. However, the bowler picked up the ball and rifled a throw straight back at the head of the batsman, with Saxena barely saving himself from getting injured.

Sakib had suggested that Saxena was out of his crease and let go a volley of verbal abuses towards the batsman. Saxena didn’t hold back and replied in kind to the bowler with some aggression thrown in. Things almost got nasty before the umpire intervened and doused the heat, asking both to get on with the game.

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra had a few words on the scuffle between Saxena and Sakib and mentioned that the fast bowler needed to let the ball do the talking instead of his mouth. “Decent fast bowling resources for B’desh. Would really appreciate if Sakib let his ball do most of the talking though….don’t really like U-19 cricketers misunderstanding passion. #U19CWC,” he tweeted.

Decent fast bowling resources for B’desh. Would really appreciate if Sakib let his ball do most of the talking though….don’t really like U-19 cricketers misunderstanding passion. #U19CWC

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 9, 2020

Given that both sides are filled with fiery youngsters, such things were expected, given the rivalry shared by these two nations at the senior level as well. For Bangladesh, this is a big occasion, playing in the finals for the first time. For India it is a matter of pride, having won the competition four times previously.