Juniors Tigers embark on a mission beaming with confidence as Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s pep talk saw them well motivated as Saif Hasan-led Bangladesh Under-19 squad leave for New Zealand in early hour of Tuesday to participate in the ICC Under-19 World Cup from January 13.
Prior a day before a departure BCB was wise enough to engage Mashrafe Bin Mortaza to share his experience with most of the members of the current Under-19 side who are unfamiliar with Kiwi conditions.
Mashrafe was very precise and provided with U-19 players with every nook and corner regarding previous tour to New Zealand. He urged the cricketers to remain mentally strong and shared his experience with the youngsters at the National Cricket Academy in Mirpur yesterday.
Bangladesh ODI skipper said, “Now is the time to show their true mettle. For last two and half year these youngsters has been working and everyone will be waiting to watch how you apply them practically those on the field,” Mashrafe told reporters yesterday after speaking to the youngsters.
He added and said “I told just told to remain focused and mentally strong. As you all know the conditions are completely different there and mentally they should be ready to face those moments as if it is normal. Even our national team had to face the adverse local conditions.”
Bangladesh Juniors’ best result was achieved by Mehedi Hasan Miraz’s boys as they finished at third in the last event in 2016 in Dhaka.
“I advised them to go and enjoy the game and perform rather than placing the extra pressure of reaching the semifinal or winning the World Cup. ,” Mashrafe added.
“If local weather does not intervene, I think pitch will be flat, good for batting. But to my opinion it is our bowlers who will be facing difficulty bowling against the wind. To bat and bowl in wind will be big challenge for our boys.
Skipper Saif summing up Mashrafe’s pep talk said his motivational advice allowed us to relax a bit.
“Mashrafe Bhai talked about the conditions in New Zealand and motivated us. His motivation is on a very high level and it will definitely help us. He doesn’t put any pressure and has always told us to enjoy the game, which actually helps us to release the pressure. Not only the captain; every single member of the team can take the responsibility and it makes things easy. According to Mashrafe Bhai all the players are captain,” Saif said after the session.
Bangladesh team is also going almost 15 days before the main event in order to get acclimatized to the local conditions. One hope U-19 will do well if they can perform to their true potentials.
Shakhawatul Islam, who was part of the squad during the recently concluded Asia Cup in Malaysia, was not considered for the New Zealand bound squad while Tipu Sultan, who recently became the highest wicket taker in first division, has been added in his place.
The Junior Tigers, led by Mohammed Saif Hassan will play three matches against provincial teams before they take on Afghanistan and Pakistan in two ICC official practice matches.
U-19 squad: Mohammed Saif Hassan (Captan), Afif Hossain Dhrubo (Vice Captain), Pinak Ghosh, Naim Sheikh, Towhid Ridoy, Aminul Islam Biplob, Md Rakib, Mahidul Islam. Coach Damien Wright.
