'This is just the beginning' - Skipper Akbar Ali calls U19 World Cup a stepping stone for Bangladesh

Rakibul Hasan flicked Atharva Ankolekar over the mid-wicket in the final of the ICC U19 World Cup 2020 and the Bangladeshi played swarmed to the field to celebrate what is perhaps the biggest success in their cricketing history, their first world title. Bangladesh defeated India by three wickets via the DLS method at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

Bangladesh had done well to restrict a rampaging Indian batting lineup to just 177 runs and then opener Parvez Emon (47) and skipper Akbar Ali’s calm 43* helped the team wade the storm of leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who picked four wickets for just 30 runs and routed the middle order of the Bangladeshi team. The skipper was ecstatic with the victory and mentioned that it was just a stepping stone for the country in the game of cricket.

‘We need to keep the momentum going’: Akbar Ali

“This is the stepping stone for our future cricket. And this is just the beginning. We need to keep the momentum and the hungriness when we go to the senior side,” Akbar was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. He dedicated the win to the people of Bangladesh, who continuously supported the team irrespective of the results.

“The way the Bangladeshi people supported our cricket team, they deserve a world title. We are very happy to deliver that. Bangladesh cricket supporters always back us. When the team is down, we get as much support from the public, so when we have won, all the more they deserve this. We were surprised by seeing more Bangladeshi people, so big thanks go to them,” he added.

He mentioned how it was a dream for them for the past two years and the feeling of becoming the world champions is yet to sink in. Akbar mentioned that the team would have been unsatisfied with anything less than the world title, as it had been the team’s goal for the past few years.

“1.5 years back, we had a dream. Not a dream, but a goal. We knew we had it within ourselves when the group was formed. So, to reach the final and lift the trophy, it’s a dream come true for us. Can’t describe my feelings,” he further said. Fireworks already lighted up the skies in Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chittagong, which celebrated their young players’ victory with such gusto.

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