Take Afghanistan team into account
The Bangladesh under-19 Cricket team failed to enter the semifinals in the Asian U-19 Championship concluded in Abu Dhabi on Saturday despite the fact that eventual finalists Pakistan and India were in same group.
Bangladesh finished 3rd behind group champions Sri Lanka and the war ridden Afghanistan in Group B. Fourth team Malaysia could not collect a single point. Bangladesh could not sail despite beating the Afghans, who, however, overpowered Sri Lanka for a berth in the last four. The poor run rate caused our early elimination, which is an answer to the self-praising words passed by our cricketers and officials.
In the other group, the teams were Pakistan, India, Nepal and the hosts UAE. As per prediction, Pakistan and India cruised into the semifinals as the group champions and the runners-up respectively. From now on, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the players must take Afghanistan into account because there is no room for gauranted spot.
Bangladesh are likely to organise World T-20 and Asian Cup Cricket Championships in February and March respectively, which does not ensure the hosts a prospect to enter the last four at least in the Asian Championship let alone the World-T 20.
So, a new strategy is to be devised to improve the performance of the cricketers and the behaviour of the officials.
Will they take lessons from the Asia U-19 disastrous?
Khurshida Haque
Paksey,
Pabna
