U-19 champs aiming to prove themselves in the big stage

Bangladesh under-19 cricket team winning the 2020 Under-19 World Cup is one of the greatest moments in the history of Bangladesh cricket. The cricketers, though, did not get many opportunities to play as Covid-19 broke out soon after they had returned home. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced an under-21 programme involving them which didn't happen due to the shutdown. 

After a long hiatus, cricket returned to Bangladesh through a 50-over tournament called BCB President's Cup. Nine members of the under-19 side got an opportunity in that tournament. The same number of cricketers have been picked by different teams for the upcoming Bangabandhu T20 cup. Some of them have spoken to The Business Standard (TBS) regarding their experience in the President's cup and how they are going to make use of the experience. 

Shahadat Hossain Dipu

It's great to get an opportunity to play another tournament. It will be greater if I can capitalise on it. Yes, a lot of them have missed out. Now it's high time we proved our mettle.

We have been picked because the teams trust our ability. So it is our duty now to repay the faith. But I do not feel too much pressure. I just want to give my best wherever I play.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy

It's going to be a big tournament. It's also a very important tournament for us. This tournament has more teams than the President's cup. So there will be more competition. Therefore, if we do well here, it will open a lot of doors for us.

While many senior cricketers have not been picked, teams have trusted us, youngsters. I want to play freely and play my natural game if given chances. I want to play long innings if I get opportunities from the start. 

Rakibul Hasan

Youngsters getting opportunities regularly is an encouraging sign for Bangladesh cricket. In the previous tournament, I could not fulfil my personal target as I did not get many wickets. I am looking to learn from my mistakes and do better here.

We youngsters will try to repay the faith the teams have in us. We will be able to improve our performances by doing well in domestic cricket. There will be pressure in professional cricket. We need to overcome the pressure to make it big. This tournament is going to be bigger. So, we are looking forward to learning more and more things.