Photo : collected
Cricket is one of the ambassadors for our country on the global stage. This sport has not only brought the recognition, but also has become a symbol of our prowess in the international arena. Adding to this legacy, the youth of Bangladesh secured a significant achievement by clinching the Under-19 Asia Cup cricket last Sunday – thereby marking their first triumph in the competition.
The triumph holds special significance for the young Tigers, who emerged as unbeaten champions in the tournament. The victory unfolded as Bangladesh defeated the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, by a margin of 195 runs in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Previously, Afghanistan stood as the only team, aside from India, to secure the Youth Asia Cup outright, and now Bangladesh proudly joins that elite list. Heartfelt congratulations extend to the young Tigers for this remarkable feat.
This accomplishment is not an isolated event in Bangladesh’s under-19 cricket history. In 2020, the youth team achieved a historic milestone by achieving World Cup for the first time.
Furthermore, the country’s women’s cricket team has been consistently scripting success stories. On the same day, The Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team created history in South
Africa, securing their maiden victory against the Proteas on their home turf during the nation’s Victory Day celebrations.
However, amidst these triumphs, it is important to address a recent setback. The disappointing performance of the Bangladesh national cricket team in the World Cup in India has left a somber note. It is evident that internal politics and conflicts between the cricket board and players, long known as an open secret, resulted to such outcomes. This discord has been expressed by players and board officials on various occasions.
The success of the Bangladesh Cricket Board hinges largely on the players’ performance. Success is celebrated when the Tigers perform well, but accountability for failure also rests with the board. Therefore, the primary focus must be on the players. The national team boasts experienced and top-tier players from youth and under-19 levels. The board should prioritize sponsorship at the youth and under-19 levels, in addition to scouting talent nationwide. Equal attention should be given to women cricketers.
Cricket holds the hopes and aspirations of this country, and it is imperative that the cricket board works diligently to nurture the Tigers and foster the development of cricket in Bangladesh. This entails not only discovering promising talent at grassroots levels, but also providing unwavering support and attention to the growth of cricket across all categories.
Messenger/Disha
