Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team looks confident of making a good fortune in the forthcoming age-level World Cup as they gathered plethora of confidence after defeating their
South African counterparts by 5-2 margin at their own den.
Junior Tigers returned home on Tuesday after completing a successful tour following their dominance against the same opposition at home earlier in the year when they won their home series by 6-1.
Bangladesh will host the showcase event of junior cricketers next year and a commendable performance by the Junior Tigers in the recent past suggests that they will approach the event with an eye on the championship.
Skipper Mehedi Hasan told New Age on Wednesday that they are ready for the mega event as they have gathered immense belief in their own abilities after beating the reigning ICC Under-19 World Cup champions both home and abroad with equal ease.
‘We are beginning to gel as a unit,’ said Mehedi.
‘We have won 11 out of 14 matches against South Africa and that speaks about our current form.
‘We want to continue with it and if we can transform our current form, there is every chance for us to go far in the upcoming World Cup,’ said the captain.
Mehedi attributed his team-mates for adapting in foreign conditions quickly that he believed was the biggest challenge and following it through playing their own brand of cricket.
‘We knew they [South Africa] would come hard at us but we managed to pull ourselves,’ said Mehedi.
‘We just backed our own game and continued to shine in all three departments though it was not that easy,’ he said.
‘Cold weather and bouncy wickets conducive for seam bowling tested our character,’ he added.
Mehedi was the highest wicket taker with 14 wickets under his belt and also amassed 180 runs in the series to lead the team from the front.
Opener Pinak Ghosh scored 150 in the sixth match of the series to overcome his run drought after his half-century in the opening game.
Pinak was the highest scorer for the visitors with his 280 runs, only second to Liam Smith of South Africa who scored 290 runs to lead the table.
The 16-year old said he was more satisfied with his hundred as he was desperate to score after not being able to contribute heavily since the opening game where he smashed a 60-run knock, the highest for his side.
That helped the visitors earn an eight-wicket victory in the series opener to get the initial momentum upon which they rode on.
‘It was a satisfying knock,’ Pinak referred to his 150-run innings. ‘I was not being able to score after the opening game but was confident all through,’ said the teenager, who made his debut earlier in their home series against the Proteas.
‘I knew it won’t take long to make a big score and fortunately it came through the 150.
‘I am looking forward to capitalise on my confidence and experience in the upcoming days,’ said the left-handed opener.
-With New Age input
