In South Africa, the ICC U19 World Cup 2020 had witnessed an unpleasant end as both India and Bangladesh players were involved in a physical clash. Soon after, Akbar Ali took the one run to take Bangladesh to glory, the young Tigers entered the ground with the Bangladesh flags but what happened has been distasteful in the gentleman’s game. Bangladesh youngsters exchanged heated words with the opposition India soon after winning the thrilling final at Potchefstroom on Sunday.
Both sides were engaged in pushing and shoving each other. The umpires and other staff members at the ground had to intervene to stop the players. Although Bangladesh had won the first cup of the tournament, their behaviour is being condemned around the cricket world.
During the presentation, India U19 captain Priyam Garg also maintained that the behaviour of the opposition team was not good. He labelled the Tiger’s reaction as ‘dirty’ while the youngster also added that winning and losing is part and parcel 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 Garg in the post-match press conference.
Shameful end to a wonderful game of cricket. #U19CWCFinal pic.twitter.com/b9fQcmpqbJ
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) February 9, 2020
Akbal Ali extends apoloy on behalf of his entire Bangladesh U19 team:
Whereas, Bangladesh U19 captain Akbar Ali accepted that they were disrespectful to the opposition while also adding that players run high on emotions after such an intense final. Ali then went on to apologise on behalf of the entire Bangladesh Under-19 team while accepting that cricket is a gentleman game.
“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, emotion 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 respect to the opponent, we should have respect for the game,” said Ali in the post-match press conference.
“Cricket is known for being a gentleman’s game. So I’ll say, I’ll be sorry for my team,” Ali added.
Bangladesh lifted their maiden trophy of U-19 World Cup after defeating India U19 by 13 runs in the nail-biting final. While Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was awarded as the Man of the Tournament after he scored more than 400-plus in the event.