The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

A 15-member Bangladesh Under-19 squad, led by Suhrawardy Shuvo, leaves here for Malaysia today to participate in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup that begins on February 17.

On the eve of its departure, team sponsors AB Bank Ltd., at a function at Hotel Sheraton in the city, wished the young tigers utmost success in the U/19 World Cup.

AB Bank president and managing director Kaiser A Chowdhury, deputy managing director Niaz Habib, BCB member Col. (retd) MA Latif Khan and CEO Mahmudur Rahman, team manager GS Hasan Chowdhury and captain Shuvo along with the other team members and officials were present.

"We'll try to give some extra efforts. We'll definitely try to bring the World Cup," Shuvo said, explaining their special target of the upcoming mission.

Replying to a question, he said: "We don't know much about our group opponents like Ireland and Bermuda, but England is definitely a good team. We've the confidence to beat teams like England."

The young captain, however, said anything could happen in the competition. He mentioned that before the last World Cup, Bangladesh U-19 team beat England U-19 team in six preparation matches, but conceded defeat to them in the World Cup.

Asked about the strong point of his team, Shuvo said they are very much confident of playing good cricket, especially as their spinners are playing vital role in winning matches in recent times.

"We've been playing together for the last three months and this helped us to overcome our batting problems," he added.

Shuvo said that after the group stage, Pakistan, India, Australia, England and South Africa could be their toughest opponents.

Bangladesh, placed in group D, will play their first match against Bermuda on February 18 at Bayueams Oval, the 2nd match against Ireland on Feb 20, also at the same venue, and the 3rd and last group match against England on Feb 22 at Royal Selangor Club. Prior to the group matches, they will play two practice matches on Feb 11 and 13.

In recent times, Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team clinched the one-day series against visiting West Indies U-19 team 2-1 and whitewashed Nepal U-19 team 3-0. Before that they became runners-up in the Triangular Series conceding defeat to India in the final, which also involved hosts South Africa.

U-19 Squad: Suhrawardy Shuvo (captain), Dollar Mahmud, Rubel Hossain, Syed Gulam Kibriya, Rony Talukder, Mahmudul Hasan Limon (vice captain), Nasir Hossain Nasir, KM Shakil, Mohammad Nadimuddin Mintu, Mithun Ali, Saikat Ali, Amit Majumder, Ashiqul Islam, Shuvashish Roy and Ashraful Hossain.

Officials - GS Hasan Chowdhury (team manager), ESM Ashfaq ul Islam (operations manager), Nazmul Abedin Fahim (head coach), Minhajul Abedin Nannu (assistant coach), Emdadul Huq (fielding coach), Tusher Kanti Howlader (fitness trainer), Azmal Ahmed Mithu (Physio), Mohammad Salahuddin (computer analyst).