Bangladesh begin U-19 World Cup campaign Saturday

Bangladesh U-19 team will start their 2018 U-19 World Cup Cricket campaign facing Namibia U-19 in their Group C match in Christchurch Saturday. The 12th edition of U-19 World Cup starts Saturday in New Zealand. A total of 16 teams - 10 Full Members and six Associates – will take part in the mega event. The young Tigers a few practice matches in preparation for the showpiece event. They contested their first warm-up game against local side Otago A and won. Later, they played against Afghanistan U-19 and lost while chasing 200-odd runs. Their final practice match against Pakistan U-19 was abandoned due to rain. So far in this competition, Bangladesh achieved their best success by claiming third spot two years ago at home. The then U-19 skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz was named man of the tournament. In this edition, Saif Hasan will lead the side while Afif Hossain will be his deputy. Before departing for New Zealand, Saif told the media that this team have played for a long time together.

U-19 World Cup: An opportunity like never before

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“The condition will be challenging there. But we have prepared well. We played well in the recently concluded Asia Cup. We have a preparation of 12 days including three practice games. So we will try to perform well there. We have played together for a long time. We have good communication and combination. This is our strength. World Cup is a big platform. It will be big pressure. If we are able to play with less pressure then I believe we can perform well,” captain Saif told the media. In the other matches of the opening day fixtures, Pakistan will face Afghanistan in a Group D match at Cobham Oval in Whangarei, Zimbabwe U-19 will face Papua New Guinea U-19 in a Group B game at Lincoln while host New Zealand U-19 will face West Indies U-19 in a Group A match at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.SquadSaif Hasan (C), Afif Hossain (VC), Pinak Ghosh, Naim Sheikh, Towhid Ridoy, Aminul Islam, Mohammad Rakib, Mahidul Islam, Shakil Hossain, Robiul Haque, Nayeem Hasan, Qazi Onik, Roni Hossain, Hasan Mahmud and Tipu SultanStandbySojib Hossain, Rayan Rafsan, Shakhawat Hossain, Saidul Islam, Yeasin Arafat, Abdul Halim and Monirul  BANGLADESH FIXTURESSaturday, January 13 v Namibia, LincolnMonday, January 15 v Canada, LincolnThursday, January 18 v England, Queenstown