Defending champions ready to channel pressure to advantage

As build-up to the upcoming ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies next year, the Bangladesh Under-19 team are scheduled to depart for UAE tomorrow to take part in the ACC Asia Cup.

Bangladesh will feature in group B of the tournament and kick off campaign against Nepal on December 24 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Rakibul Hasan and his troop will also face Kuwait and Sri Lanka on December 25 and 28, respectively, in the group stage.

A lot will be expected from Bangladesh, even though the defending champions could not engage in the best of preparations ahead of the World Cup compared to the previous edition. Prior to their successful World Cup campaign last year, the young Tigers played 35 matches, whereas the current team have played just 13 games before heading to the Asia Cup this time around.

Head coach Navid Newaz is not too bothered about the comparative lack of preparation and the pressure of defending the title.

"Not exactly [feeling pressure] because we have been with this group for almost one year now with pandemic scenario, in and out. Besides, we have come to an understanding that this is the way we are going to play our cricket," Navid told the media today.

"And being the defending champions last year, we are prepared to use the pressure [of title-defense] to our advantage instead of feeling it [negatively]. 

"We have to make sure we take every game one at a time, which is the most important thing going into a tournament," the head coach stated.  

The U-19s, after completing the Asia Cup, will travel directly to the West Indies from the UAE to take part in the ICC Under-19 World Cup, scheduled to begin from January 15.