Winning Under-19 Cricket Team ‘great gift’ for nation: PM

Online Desk : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday described the clinching of the ICC Under-19 World Cup trophy by Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket Team as the ‘great gift’ for the nation in the Mujib Borsho (Mujib Year).

She said the young tigers will be accorded a grand reception for winning its maiden ICC Under-19 World Cup title after they return home.

The Prime Minister made the announcement at the outset of the Cabinet meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office.“Winning the ICC Under-19 World Cup trophy by the Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket Team is a big gift for all and the nation in the Mujib Borsho,” she said.

On Sunday, the young Tigers wrote history for Bangladesh cricket beating four-time world champions India by three wickets in the final of the tournament at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, South Africa.Sheikh Hasina recalled that the Bangladesh national cricket team was given a grand reception at the Manik Mia Avenue in the capital in 1997 after clinching the ICC Trophy 1997.

“Whenever Bangladesh team had won any trophy, we gave a reception to them. We’ll also accord a mass reception to the ICC Under-19 World Cup-winning Bangladesh team,” she declared.

The Prime Minister said the players of the team worked hard in the last four years ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup. “So, they showed an excellent performance throughout the tournament,” she noted.

Hasina said the Bangladesh team defeated four-time ICC Under-19 World Cup champions India in the final. “They (Bangladesh players) have huge courage… they’re rising gradually,” she said.