|| CF DESK ||

The champions of 2020 Bangladesh will start their U-19 World Cup mission taking on their giant neighbor and holders India in Bloemfontein on Saturday (January 20) at 2 pm Bangladesh time.

Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, who led the Bangladesh team to win the first-ever U-19 Asia Cup crown very recently, will also lead the team in the ICC U -19 World Cup in South Africa.

Bangladesh beat India to reach the Asia Cup final but captain Rabby wants to take that aside and move forward to face India in the biggest stage.

Bangladesh played two official warm-up matches as they conceded a huge 112-run defeat in the first match against Sri Lanka under DLS method but they bounced back in the 2nd match beating mighty Australia by five wickers with 107 balls remaining.

"We have played three warm-up matches. All three matches have been good for us. Tomorrow is our first match against India. Everyone, please pray for us,” said Rabby in a video post.

“We are not thinking about the Asia Cup. The Asia Cup has already taken place. I don't even remember when we became the champion. I'm not thinking about the last match. I'm thinking about the next match. In the World Cup, we want to move forward match by match" he added.

Bangladesh placed in Group A with India, United States and Ireland, will play Ireland on January 22 at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein and United States on January 26 at the same venue in the remaining group matches.

"In our group, there is also Ireland and the United States. They are good teams as well. At this moment, they are playing good cricket. We are preparing for them. The fewer mistakes we make, the more we can advance in the tournament." Rabby further added.