Gaining experience on the agenda for junior Tigers

Bangladesh under-19 team’s appearance in the upcoming Asian Cricket Council's U-19 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka will be the side’s first stage of preparation for the 2018 U-19 World Cup. Although the multi-nation youth championship is almost two years away, Bangladesh want to repeat the mantra that had helped the side reach the semi-finals in the previous edition of the youth World Cup. Right-hand batsman Saif Hasan has been named captain while Afif Hossain, who recently featured for Rajshahi Kings in the just-concluded Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 2016-17 season, will be his deputy. According to Saif, the side’s primary target will be to gain experience. Right-arm pacer Abdul Halim is the only squad member other than Saif who has the experience of playing the last youth World Cup, hosted by Bangladesh earlier this year. “There is a lack of experience if we compare this team with the last U-19 team. We haven’t played enough matches but as we start playing together, we hope we’ll gain experience and at the same time, gel together as well,” said Saif. “Most of us played together in the U-17 level. So we have good friendship among us. Now we need some experience,” he said. Coach Ehsan Karim Jewel also emphasised on the importance of gaining experience as he looks to build a strong team, keeping the New Zealand youth World Cup in mind. “The Asia Cup is a platform for us to gain some valuable experience. The team is well-balanced and we have been practising since last August. We have played in Cox’s Bazar, BKSP and Mirpur,” said Ehsan. In the U-19 Asia Cup, Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B alongside Pakistan, Afghanistan and Singapore. Bangladesh will play their group matches in Galle and Matara while the Group A teams will play their matches in Colombo. Group A comprises reigning champions India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Malaysia.SquadSaif Hasan (captain), Sajib Hossain, Nazmul Alam, Afif Hossain (vice-captain), Aminul Islam Biplob, Rayan Rafsan Rahman, Habibur Rahman, Mohammad Rakib, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan Ankan, Naeem Hasan, Shakhawat Hossain, Kazi Anik Islam, Yasin Arafat, Makidul Islam Mugdho and Abdul HalimStandbyHasan Mahmud, Shahadat Hossain Hridoy, Abbas Musa Alvi and Akbar Ali