'He was closest to his sister' - Akbar Ali's father recalls how his son battled personal loss during U19 World Cup

Bangladesh World Cup-winning captain Akbar Ali scripted history when he became the first captain from the country to lead his team to a World title when the Asian Tigers pipped the Boys in Blue in an intensely fought U-19 final in Potchefstroom on Sunday.

Akbar Ali led from the front- both as a leader as well as a batsman. He was awarded the Man of the Match for showing steely resistance and maturity beyond his years during his unbeaten knock of 43 off 77 balls. What made Ali’s knock even more special is he was enduring a far more difficult situation in his personal life when he came out to bat in the final.

According to the media reports, Ali lost his sister Khadija Khatun, who passed away while giving birth to her twins on January 22. Khatun was a pillar of support to Akbar and she even watcher her brother lead the young Tigers to a nine-wicket win, just four days before her unfortunate death. “Akbar was closest to his sister, she loved Akbar a lot” Akbar Ali’s father was quoted as saying by Times Now.

Akbar Ali wasn’t informed initially about the demise of his sister

Unfortunately, Khatun couldn’t see her brother script history by becoming the first captain of the country to lead his team to World Cup glory. Akbar’s father revealed that they had not informed him of the unfortunate turn of events. He revealed that Akbar called after the game against Pakistan and questioned his brother as to why he was not kept in the loop.

“Akbar was closest to his sister. She loved Akbar a lot. We did not want to inform him at first. He then called after the Pakistan match and questioned his brother why he was not kept in the loop. I did not have the courage to talk to him. I don’t know what to say,” he added.

Coming back to the final, Akbar, who came into bat after Bangladesh were reeling– thanks to Ravi Bishnoi’s whirlwind spell– showed remarkable patience and maturity and ensured that he stayed till the end until the final run was scored.

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