|| CF Correspondent || 

The Bangladesh Under-19 squad was particularly motivated to win the U-19 World Cup 2020 championship after using the same meeting room as Fifa World Cup 2010 winner Spain, at North West University Sports Village in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

The Sports Village had become something of a second home for the Bangladesh U-19 team, as they spent the entire tournament at the same location.

Of the six matches Bangladesh played in the tournament, five were in Potchefstroom’s Senwes Park and one (against Scotland U-19) was at Witrand Cricket Field in the same city.

With the majority of the other teams on the move, the relative stability afforded to the young Tigers allowed them to create a home-like atmosphere.

Meanwhile, autographed pictures of Spanish football legends on the walls of the meeting room instilled a sense of destiny in the young cricketers, Bangladesh U-19 team physio Muzadded Alpha Sany said.

“This [using the same meeting room as Spain] thrilled and motivated the players. The room was decorated with photos of football legends, including autographs of the Spanish footballers who won the World Cup in 2010. This drove our players and they wanted to make their own mark,” said Sany,

 told the Dhaka Tribune over phone Monday.

He also said the authorities of NWU Sports Village had taken autographs of the 15 Bangladesh U-19 cricketers and they would now decorate the room alongside those of the Spanish world champion.

The Bangladesh U-19 cricket team created history by becoming U-19 world champion for the first time, after defeating four-time champion India by three wickets (Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method) Sunday.