Bangladesh eyes to script history
|| CF Correspondent ||
An inspired looking Bangladesh will be eyeing to create history as they take on India in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final at the Senwes Park, Potchefstroom on February 8.
The weather, unfortunately, in Potchefstroom is not too promising and there is a possibility that rain might ruin the show and in that case the game will be shifted on February 10 that is kept as reserve day.
Bangladesh were lucky that they were not forced to complete their preparation for the final at indoor though it seemed to be a distinct possibility when the team departed from the team hotel as the rain just refused to let go from Benoni to Durban Friday and back to Benoni on Saturday that eventually helped Pakistan clinch the third spot in the tournament after their match against New Zealand was called off without a ball being bowled.
‘’It was raining in the morning but thankfully it stopped now as we are preparing to complete our net session ahead of the final. If there is rain tomorrow we will have the match on February 10 that is slated as reserve day,’’ Under-19 manager Kawsar Ahmed told Daily Sun on Saturday.
While there was sunshine after rain in in Potchefstroom, Bangladesh will be eyeing it remains the same for them as well when they take on Indians in the final, wearing the favorite tag to clinch the tournament from the beginning.
Bangladesh skipper Akbar Ali said that they are not taking any extra pressure ahead of the final and would like to his teammates to take is just another game for them.
One team is eyeing a record fifth title in the Under-19 World Cup while the other is looking to script history by upsetting one of the cricketing giants in the world and putting themselves on the map and the contrasting story of India and Bangladesh in their journey to the final will be stark evident when both teams come out on Sunday at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
‘’This is going to be a final but if we think we have to win the trophy because it is a World Cup final, then some unwanted pressure will be imposed on us. Like the way we played the whole tournament as a normal matches, we will try to play the same in the final,’’ Akbar told reporters ahead of the final.
‘’India is a tremendous team, their bowling and batting both departments are good. And they are unbeaten. We are also unbeaten hopefully this is going to be a good match and the plans we have made regarding them, if we execute those then we will get the result,’’ he said.
This will be the fifth encounter between India and Bangladesh in the Under-19 World Cup. They have played four games in this tournament with India winning three and Bangladesh one. India won the first game in Moratuwa by 122 runs. However, Bangladesh won their next encounter in Auckland in the 2002 edition by two wickets. India won the next two games and heading into the final, they have an edge over Bangladesh having won the tri-series final in Hove and the Under-19 Asia Cup in Colombo.
The Indian cricket team has been dominant in this tournament, beating New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan in their path to the final. Bangladesh, on the other hand, secured big wins against South Africa and New Zealand to script the first all-Asian final in the Under-19 World Cup since 2006.
Be it Yashasvi Jaiswal or Mahmudul Hasan, both teams have future stars who could make it big for their national sides in the near future. India's bowling, though, is far more stronger than Bangladesh, who have relied on the likes of Rakibul Hasan for consistent breakthroughs. Kartik Tyagi, Sushant Mishra, Ravi Bishnoi, Atharva Ankolekar and Akash Singh have been playing really well and have contributed at vital times for the team. India's bowling makes them far more potent than the Bangladesh attack and it is this factor which will work for them in the final.
‘’If we only talk about our team, then our batting and bowling department have been well. Top orders are scoring runs and bowlers are also picking wickets at good economy rate. I think, if we execute the same plan against India then the result will be in our favour,’’ he said.
The wicket in Senwes Park, Potchefstroom has seen pacers getting assistance early on before the spinners come into play. A total in excess of 250 has been match-winning. With both teams having good pacers and quality spinners as well as talented batsmen, the pitch could dish out a decent score in the final.
