Akbar leads young Tigers to maiden U-19 World Cup glory

All these years, Bangladesh lost a flurry of finals. Even at the Under-19 level, Bangladesh had lost two finals to India in the last year alone. 

But all that was probably because Bangladesh would win the biggest one. Before the World Cup, Bangladesh Under 19 skipper Akbar Ali had said that this side is capable of reaching the final. But who knew, they would do it a step better? 

Yes, they did it. They went up a step. They have won the ICC Under 19 World Cup. Yes, Bangladesh are indeed, the World Champions. Let it be the age levels, but this is Bangladesh's maiden trophy at any global stage. 

They have beaten India by three wickets in a nerve-wracking final and have lifted the trophy. They are the champions, they are the champions.

The whole tournament, it was a collective effort from the side. And in the final, it was the same. The bowlers did a brilliant job, the fielders were fantastic. And when the batsmen floundered, a tailender like Raqibul Hasan showed their courage. But it was Akbar who showed the most courage. He scored only 43, but that is just a number. The courage he showed, was incredible to say the least. 

He came in when his side was in deep waters. But kept his head. He put up stands and took Bangladesh closer. And when rain interrupted, he and Raqibul kept their head and sealed the win for Bangladesh.

Another man must be mentioned, Parvez Hossain Emon. He had to go off injured in the ninth over but came back when his team was six down. He ran with pain but still went on. And it was the 41-run stand between him and Akbar that brought Bangladesh back to the game. 

It all started when Akbar Ali won the toss and put India in to bat. The bowlers showed incredible courage and aggression to put a leash on the Indian batsmen.

Yashasvi Jaiswal played a fantastic knock of 88 but Bangladesh's body language on the field was something else. They looked all charged up and they were giving India the hardest time they faced in the whole tournament. 

And when Jaiswal was sent back by Shoriful Islam, India slumped. They slumped from 156-3 to 177 all out. Avishek Das, who took the ball for the first time in this tournament, starred with three wickets. Shoriful and Sakib both showed immense aggression in the opening spell and throughout the game, picking up a couple of wickets. 

And when Bangladesh came in to bat to chase down 178, they had a lighting start. The openers, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Parvez Hossain Emon took 13 off the first over and reached fifty by the 8th over. But that is when the calamity began. 

Ravi Bishnoi came into the attack and picked up four wickets in a single spell to destabilize the Bangladesh batting. He picked up Tamim, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shahadat Hossain and Towhid Hridoy. Adding insult to injury, Emon was retired hurt because of cramp. 

But skipper Akbar Ali did not budge. He put up small stands with Shamim Hossain and Avishek Das before both of them gave their wickets away. Seeing no other way, Emon had to come out to bat with injury. 

He and Akbar put up a stand of 41 runs as Bangladesh inched near victory. But then came the anti-climax. Jaiswal, who had troubled Bangladesh with the bat, came into bowl and sent back Emon for a valiant 47, with Bangladesh only 35 runs away from victory. 

In came Raqibul Hasan, who is not known for his credentials with the bat. He had an average below 10 coming in to bat, but showed extreme nerve. 

He and Akbar put up only 20 runs together, but they played out nine overs. And in that, they saw out the havoc-wreaking Bishnoi and the dangerous Tyagi. They scored slowly but with calmness, and inched towards the magical target of 178. 

But then rain interrupted and the players had to go off. And when they came back to bat, the target was revised to 170 from 46 overs. Bangladesh now needed seven runs from five overs to get their hands on the holy grail. 

And they did. Raqibul hit a four off Sushant Mishra after the play resumed and by the end of the over, Bangladesh needed only one.

And in the very first delivery of the next over, Akbar flicked the ball of his legs to win it. Akbar, who had said before the World Cup that they could. Akbar, who had taken the winning runs in the semi-final. 

Akbar, who had kept his nerve throughout the whole game. And as he flicked the delivery off his legs, the whole team came crashing on to the field. Akbar fist-bumped the air and then was caught in the camera crying. He can let all his tears of joy out and he should keep his head high. 

Because they deserve it, they deserve every bit of it. And no matter which level it is, Bangladesh are indeed, the World Champions.