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[Saba Sports News] The Bangladesh U19 cricket team credited their recent tour of India for their success in winning the U19 Asia Cup in Dubai. They received a warm reception at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday after their triumph. The team’s journey to victory included a significant win over favorites India in the semi-finals and defeating UAE by 195 runs in the final.
Prior to the Asia Cup, the team participated in a four-nation tournament in India, featuring two Indian U19 teams and England.
Bangladesh’s performance in the group stage was modest, with a sole victory in six matches, but they secured a win against England in the third-place playoff.
Ahrar Amin, who initially captained the team in India, highlighted the importance of the quadrangular series in identifying their strengths and weaknesses. “Playing against India in their home conditions improved our mental game, as India is a tough opponent,” he said.
Current U19 skipper Mahfuzur also acknowledged the benefits of the competitive experience in India, which contributed to their Asia Cup performance. He expressed his team’s ambition to excel in the upcoming ICC Under-19 World Cup and the increased responsibility following their Asia Cup win. Mahfuzur praised the team management, including Stuart Law and Wasim Jaffer, for their guidance, especially in handling challenging situations and mental strength.
The Bangladesh U19 team will have a short break before resuming training in Dhaka on January 1. They are scheduled to depart for South Africa on January 8, with a week-long camp in South Africa planned before the Under-19 World Cup.
BCB game development manager Abu Emam Mohammad Kawsar highlighted the importance of this camp for the players to acclimate to the conditions in South Africa.