It all started sometimes around September 2018. One batch of U19 cricketers left the frame after the 2018 edition of U19 World Cup in New Zealand and next batch started to prepare for 2020 edition. Bangladesh junior teams are out performing their senior teams in global stages for some years now, therefore it wasn’t a surprise when they ended as third in 2016 World Cup, or 6th two years later. But, that U19 Asia Cup of 2018 gave something that really excited me.
The start wasn’t too bright though, first game was against Sri Lanka boys and they lost it comprehensively, disappointing but there is a pack of closely matched few teams of whom, anyone can beat other on their day, Lankans were among that bunch. What followed was a hard fought chase against a good Pakistan attack and then the first real glimpse of hope against India. That India U19 team wasn’t exactly in the same class of the all concurring previous team that won World Cup few months back, but still it was the stand out team of the tournament and Bangladesh boys missed a chance to beat them chasing 172, by just 2 runs. More than the result, what was exciting that, for the first time there was a fast bowler who troubled top class Indian opening pair of Jaiswal and Padikkal; a 6’3”+ left arm pacer with every attribute for a bright future.
The journey continued with a disappointing Sri Lanka tour that ended ODI series that ended in 2-1 loss, but Bangladesh boys were denied couple of wins by weather Gods. Test series ended as 1-1, which still was a better result than past tours, Srilanka always had a good team in junior level cricket.
The expectations from this bunch of boys really took shape in following U19 series at home against England boys, sometimes in early 2019. Bangladesh is dominating English boys for few years now; therefore that 3-0 clean sweep in ODI leg indeed was encouraging, but nothing significant. What really made me follow this group of boys was the second Test against English boys – on a 4th day cracked track, after conceding a lead of 109, Bangladesh boys chased 333 to win that Test.
Next was a triangular in Unite Kingdom, against best two U19 sides of contemporary world – India & England. By this time, Bangladesh squad has got a new Captain in Akbar, added couple of young pacers in Tanzim & Avishek, and added a new batsman Shahadat as well. To my surprise, that team beat English boys three times, and India once, to make the Final as top team, only to lose it again to Indian boys. It was getting closer with India by every phase of encounters, but still there was something missing – in following U19 Asia Cup Final, they bundled India for 106, with last pair putting 23, only to lose by 5 runs.
By now, couple of new faces joined among coaching staffs and boys had 10 games to prepare for World Cup. These were the 10 games I followed closely and was almost astonished with the command and maturity they showed against Kiwi and Lankan boys to win 8-1, with that only loss at New Zeeland, when they rested all 3 regular bowlers and one wash-out against Sri Lanka. In one of the games against Sri Lanka, chasing 210 in 32 overs, at one point Bangladesh Boys were four down for almost noting and asking rising to 7, still they won it inside 25 overs by the 5th pair and that was the game which gave me confidence that this is a different unit – they don’t choke, neither is afraid of opponents, and they have the depth, skills to fight it out.
After that, what the boys did in South Africa is as they say – history.
Normally, most of the U19 boys are lost by the time they reach 23, even from World Champion squads, but I do believe this won’t be the case for this bunch of players. In past, often Bangladesh U19 boys were picked from random school, club or age level cricket and many of the boys were players from instinct, rather than developed through a systemic approach. It’s common for every Bangladesh team at every level that they would choke under pressure, and do silly things in fielding to lose from winning positions. But, each of these boys is a product of methodical system – they are coming from a six years career path that started from U13 cricket. The strength of this bunch was their depth and versatility, as such that the loss of the lead pacer and the leg spinner (not picked for this tournament) wasn’t felt, rather players who got lucky opportunities, outperformed more settled players.
I wish every bit of success for these boys, may not be all of them will be successful in International cricket, but definitely they will improve the quality of Bangladesh domestic cricket, which is the ultimate password of sustainable success. What Bangladesh cricket needs is few more such batches, not necessarily they have to repeat the world cup win, rather bring qualities and competitiveness in domestic cricket, so that the National team can continue their progression at a faster rate.
Well done boys – best of luck, this one definitely won’t be the last in coming day.
The start wasn’t too bright though, first game was against Sri Lanka boys and they lost it comprehensively, disappointing but there is a pack of closely matched few teams of whom, anyone can beat other on their day, Lankans were among that bunch. What followed was a hard fought chase against a good Pakistan attack and then the first real glimpse of hope against India. That India U19 team wasn’t exactly in the same class of the all concurring previous team that won World Cup few months back, but still it was the stand out team of the tournament and Bangladesh boys missed a chance to beat them chasing 172, by just 2 runs. More than the result, what was exciting that, for the first time there was a fast bowler who troubled top class Indian opening pair of Jaiswal and Padikkal; a 6’3”+ left arm pacer with every attribute for a bright future.
The journey continued with a disappointing Sri Lanka tour that ended ODI series that ended in 2-1 loss, but Bangladesh boys were denied couple of wins by weather Gods. Test series ended as 1-1, which still was a better result than past tours, Srilanka always had a good team in junior level cricket.
The expectations from this bunch of boys really took shape in following U19 series at home against England boys, sometimes in early 2019. Bangladesh is dominating English boys for few years now; therefore that 3-0 clean sweep in ODI leg indeed was encouraging, but nothing significant. What really made me follow this group of boys was the second Test against English boys – on a 4th day cracked track, after conceding a lead of 109, Bangladesh boys chased 333 to win that Test.
Next was a triangular in Unite Kingdom, against best two U19 sides of contemporary world – India & England. By this time, Bangladesh squad has got a new Captain in Akbar, added couple of young pacers in Tanzim & Avishek, and added a new batsman Shahadat as well. To my surprise, that team beat English boys three times, and India once, to make the Final as top team, only to lose it again to Indian boys. It was getting closer with India by every phase of encounters, but still there was something missing – in following U19 Asia Cup Final, they bundled India for 106, with last pair putting 23, only to lose by 5 runs.
By now, couple of new faces joined among coaching staffs and boys had 10 games to prepare for World Cup. These were the 10 games I followed closely and was almost astonished with the command and maturity they showed against Kiwi and Lankan boys to win 8-1, with that only loss at New Zeeland, when they rested all 3 regular bowlers and one wash-out against Sri Lanka. In one of the games against Sri Lanka, chasing 210 in 32 overs, at one point Bangladesh Boys were four down for almost noting and asking rising to 7, still they won it inside 25 overs by the 5th pair and that was the game which gave me confidence that this is a different unit – they don’t choke, neither is afraid of opponents, and they have the depth, skills to fight it out.
After that, what the boys did in South Africa is as they say – history.
Normally, most of the U19 boys are lost by the time they reach 23, even from World Champion squads, but I do believe this won’t be the case for this bunch of players. In past, often Bangladesh U19 boys were picked from random school, club or age level cricket and many of the boys were players from instinct, rather than developed through a systemic approach. It’s common for every Bangladesh team at every level that they would choke under pressure, and do silly things in fielding to lose from winning positions. But, each of these boys is a product of methodical system – they are coming from a six years career path that started from U13 cricket. The strength of this bunch was their depth and versatility, as such that the loss of the lead pacer and the leg spinner (not picked for this tournament) wasn’t felt, rather players who got lucky opportunities, outperformed more settled players.
I wish every bit of success for these boys, may not be all of them will be successful in International cricket, but definitely they will improve the quality of Bangladesh domestic cricket, which is the ultimate password of sustainable success. What Bangladesh cricket needs is few more such batches, not necessarily they have to repeat the world cup win, rather bring qualities and competitiveness in domestic cricket, so that the National team can continue their progression at a faster rate.
Well done boys – best of luck, this one definitely won’t be the last in coming day.
