'What happened after the game was unfortunate' - Bangladesh skipper Akbar Ali on their aggressive body language

The intriguing ICC U19 World Cup final between India and Bangladesh certainly lived up to the expectations. Despite being a low-scoring thriller, the match had its moments from the start to the climax at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. The final will undoubtedly go down as one of the best in cricket history.

Ahead of the final, defending champions and four-time winners– India were the clear-cut favourites for the battle against Bangladesh who were playing their first final. However, Bangladesh defied all odds and touched the pinnacle of success. Both teams gave absolutely everything in the match but in the end, ‘The Tigers’ came out on top much to India’s annoyance as they won the match by three wickets to get hold of the U19 World Cup trophy for the first time.

Opening batsman Parvez Hossain Emon and skipper Akbar Ali brought the best out of themselves and played significant knocks to help Bangladesh overcome the 170-run target with 23 balls to spare. Parvez Hossain Emon was the pick of the batsman as he scored a 79-ball 47 while the captain and wicketkeeper Akbar Ali remained unbeaten on 43 from 77 balls.

After the rain play spoilsport in the match, the target was revised to 170 runs. Chasing 178 with ample overs in hand, Bangladesh tried their best but were reduced to 163 for 7 after 41 overs. It was then rain stopped play.

However, Bangladesh were 18 runs ahead in terms of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) par score of 145. But before India could make further breakthroughs in the game, Akbar Ali ensured to take the team home. Previously, India’s batsmen failed to deliver the goods as Boys in Blue were bundled out for a paltry 177.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for India with 88. Except him, no other batsman turned up the ante. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal was the turning point and since then India lost their last seven wickets for just 21 runs and ended up scoring 177 for the loss of ten wickets from a total of 156/3.

Bangladesh skipper Akbar Ali regrets infamous tension

After the match came to a close, it became so tense with Bangladeshi players rushing to the ground and the majority of the players displayed an aggressive body language which irked the Indian players. It was then Indian player rushed to confront and then pushed a Bangladeshi player who allegedly showed unkind attitude and coach Paras Mhambrey calmed the boys.

“It’s a dream come true. Some of our bowlers were emotional and were pumped up. What happened after the game was unfortunate. I would like to congratulate India,” Bangladesh skipper Akbar Ali said at the post-match conference.

“It’s all about the hard work we have done over the last two years. The coaching staff…I just cannot thank them enough for how much support they have given us on and off the field. We’ve had a very good experience, and this is just the beginning for us. Hopefully, this will be the stepping stone for us,” he added.

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