This is just the start: Akbar Ali
Bangladesh's long wait for a maiden global title ended when Rakibul Hasan flicked Atharva Ankolekar over midwicket to seal their victory at the 2020 U-19 World Cup, ending a 20-plus-year-long search for a crown. But according with their captain Akbar Ali the victory has just set the ball rolling for future years greatness that may come Bangladesh cricket's way. He felt that the win now sets these champion teenagers to become more successful when they eventually transition in to the senior team.
Akbar also dedicated the World Cup win to the people in Bangladesh because of their continuous support, irrespective of what results the team has taken in the past.
"This is the stepping stone for our future cricket," he said. "Which is just the start. We need to keep carefully the momentum and the hungriness whenever we go to the senior side."
"The way the Bangladeshi persons supported our cricket team, they deserve a global title," he said. "We are incredibly pleased to deliver that. Bangladesh cricket supporters always back us. When the team is down, we get as much support from the general public, so whenever we have won, even more they deserve this."
It's not frequently that Indian fans get outnumbered in any cricket game, but at the ultimate in Potchefstroom, there have been many more Bangladesh fans than those from across the border. Akbar said they were the team's 12th man within their victory. He also said that India-Bangladesh rivalries draw out the best from the team.
"Yes, we expected an excellent crowd, but expected an even crowd," Akbar said. "We were surprised by seeing more Bangladeshi people, so big thanks would go to them.
"India-Bangladesh rivalries brings out the very best in us. Prior to the World Cup final, we had lost the Asia Cup final to them, therefore the boys wished to take revenge."
Overwhelmed by the emotion of the win, Akbar said the fact that they are world champions hadn't yet sunk in. But a very important factor he confirmed was that was always the target. Anything lesser at the 2020 U-19 World Cup, plus they could have left dissatisfied.
"Whenever we started our journey, 1.5 years back, we'd a dream," Akbar says before correcting himself. "Not a dream, but an objective. We knew we'd it within ourselves when the group was formed. So to reach the final and lift the trophy, it's a dream come true for all of us. Can't describe my feelings."
After their win, the Bangladesh players attended a prayer service before resuming their celebrations in the dressing room. In Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong, fireworks have already lit up the skies. And as the evening continues, the festivities at Potchefstroom within the Bangladesh camp may also go long in to the night.
Source: www.theindependentbd.com
