The International Cricket Council is set to investigate the altercation between Bangladesh and India players following the grand finale of the U-19 World Cup at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, South Africa Sunday.
The occasion of Bangladesh’s historic three-wicket [Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method] win over four-time U-19 champion India was marred with players of both the teams engaging in an exchange of words.
There was also pushing and shoving between the players on the field, which had eventually left a Bangladeshi flag torn up.
Commentator @bhogleharsha and former Indian spinner @harbhajan_singh heaped praise on the @BCBtigers U-19 cricket team who clinched the U-19 @cricketworldcup after beating @BCCI by three wickets in the final at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom Sunday.https://t.co/Wpln8KNaY5#BCB
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) February 10, 2020
As per reports, the ICC will take the issue "seriously" and that a full update is due from the match referee, Graeme Labrooy, Monday.
Bangladesh U-19 captain Akbar Ali was sorry for the chain of events after the match while his Indian counterpart Priyam Garg laid all the blame on the opposition at the post-match press conference.
"What happened, it should not [have] happened. I don't know what exactly happened. I didn't ask what was going on. But, you know, in the final, emotions can come out, and sometimes the boys were getting pumped, and emotions were coming through. As a youngster, it shouldn't happen. In any position, in any manner, we have to show the respect to the opponent, we should have respect for the game,” said Akbar, who was key behind Bangladesh’s emphatic win with an unbeaten 43.
A proud @BCBtigers U-19 cricket side captain Akbar Ali has credited the hard work his team have put in in the last two years heading into the U-19 @cricketworldcup 2020.https://t.co/TLHhzol0Hk#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #AKBARALI #ALI #AKBAR
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) February 9, 2020
"Cricket is known for being a gentleman's game. So I'll say, I'll be sorry for my team," the wicketkeeper-batsman added.
Priyam claimed that the Bangladesh players had started it all following the end of the game.
"We were easy. We think it's part and parcel of the game - you win some and you lose some. But their reaction was dirty. I think it shouldn't have happened. But it's okay," said Priyam at the post-match press conference.
