Can the Under-19 World Cup winners prove their worth ?
Pic: CF
|| CF Correspondent ||
After seven month of Corona pandemic cricket is returning back to Bangladesh and all the cricketers are desperate to perform. Almost country’s all the top cricketers are not seen performing together in any domestic tournament except BPL but they will have a unique opportunity to showcase their mettle in the BCB President’s Cup as it is going to be played with top 45 cricketers of the nation.
While the seniors will be eyeing to display their supremacy in the field it will be provide an opportunity for the youngster as well due to the fact all the eyes will be fixed to see how they perform.
Many cricketers from the last Under-19 World Cup winning team have found a place in the tournament and there are few of them likely to be tested with the seniors.
Akbar Ali
(Tamim XI)
One of the most talked about names in cricket in the country this year considering under his leadership, Bangladesh has won the last Youth World Cup. He was the match-best when he played a cold-headed heroic innings in the final.
The 19-year-old keeper-batsman has left a mark through his batting in the final while his leadership qualities were often been considered as the vital force behind changing the body language of his team mates. So the expectation are high and he will have to make sure that he can carry it in the limited opportunities that he is expected to get in the competition considering with Enamul Haque and Mohammad Mithun in Tamim's XI squad, it will be difficult for Akbar to get a chance in the beginning.
Rakibul Hasan
(Mahmudullah XI)
The left-arm spinner played a big role in Bangladesh's title win in the last Under-19 World Cup. He was the highest wicket taker of the team in the tournament, taking 12 wickets in 8 matches with an average of 10.18 and only 3 runs per over. Even before the World Cup, his performances in various series and tournaments were consistent and now it's its turn to prove his mettle in the league of seniors. He made a good start to the Dhaka Premier League, which was postponed due to coronavirus last March. The 18-year-old spinner's great asset with his bowling skills is his aggressive and fighting mentality. Since Abdur Razzak went out of consideration, Bangladesh has not had a regular partner of Shakib Al Hasan in limited overs. If you are on the right track, Rakibul has all the elements to fill that void. This tournament may be his walk in the future.
Tamzid Hasan
(Tamim XI)
The left-arm opener was an important member of the Under-19 World Cup winning Bangladesh team. Despite not showing the expected continuity in the World Cup, he played a great innings of 60 runs in the victory against South Africa. He is a very aggressive and brave batsman, at the same time aesthetic. Not only in age-based cricket, he has also shown a glimpse of talent in domestic cricket. Last year, he scored 361 runs with a century in the Dhaka Premier League. This time he made 59 in the only match before the suspension of Dhaka League.
He made his debut in first-class cricket after the U-19 World Cup with an innings of 72 runs. He played a great innings of 125 off 99 balls in the two-day match at BKSP against visiting Zimbabwe in February. This tournament could be another platform to prove his talent and ability. He will play under the leadership of childhood hero Tamim Iqbal, starting the innings with him. The thrill of the 19-year-old batsman should be extra!
Shariful Islam
(Tamim XI)
Left-arm pacer of the Youth World Cup winning team, he played on a bigger scale before the World Cup. The selectors were impressed by his bowling and played him in the Bangladesh 'A' team, BCB XI. At the age of 16, he played first-class cricket, List A cricket. The record is also good enough.
In the beginning his speed was great, but his body was not well-formed, his action was not smooth. The body has matured over time, the action has been a little better. Although the speed has decreased a bit, there is an opportunity to increase it over time. The ability to swing is innate. Being able to build him can be a great asset for the national team. This tournament is a great opportunity for the 19-year-old pacer to show his improvement and progress.
