Time to prove their worth

The jungle of concrete that the port city has become following construction work of flyovers hardly provides any indication that a World Cup is being hosted there. That's not a surprise at all because one cannot expect the ICC Under-19 World Cup generate the same excitement and enthusiasm that the senior's event creates in all parts of the cricketing world.

Yesterday when entering the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium -- the venue of one of today's opening matches between Bangladesh and defending champions South Africa -- the sweet sound of bat meeting ball from the home side's net practice session under the brilliant sunshine in the morning still imparted the feeling which any avid fan is looking for. And just from the look in the eyes of the Bangladeshi youths, one could see the big dream inside them; the dream that their seniors have before any big series or event.

The interest of the local media with the under-19 team also gave the impression that there was something different in this part of the world when it came to cricket, indifferent of the fact that this world cup is for the cricketers of the future.

Whether you agree or disagree, the expectations from this Bangladesh Under-19 team are high and the team itself has built up those high hopes following their performances over the past year-and-a-half. The fact that they are the home team only fuelled those expectations. The belief is there that the talented bunch of youngsters, under the leadership of Mehedi Hasan Miraz will be able to overcome the agony of playing the Plate Championship in the tournament time and again.

Today's national heroes like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal could only manage fifth position in the 2006 tournament, which is still the side's best achievement, so the question was; will Miraz and Co. be able to rewrite history?

Today's game will be the biggest for the young Tigers. A win in the match against the defending champions will not only set the tone for them throughout the competition, but will also virtually confirm their Super League berth ahead of their two remaining games against minnows Scotland and Namibia in Cox's Bazar.

If expectations don't pressurise the youngsters, then one can fairly expect a win for the hosts, who won both the home and away series against South Africa last year. There are few teams better prepared than the hosts, who have come leaps and bounds in the past year; a tri-nation defeat against their Indian counterparts being the only blemish.

Whether all those factors actually piled up the pressure or not, suspicion grew when team manager ASM Faruque told reporters that the captain would not talk to media ahead of the opening match to make sure the side wouldn't be distracted.

However, Miraz finally did emerge, along with coach Mizanur Rahman, and the pair exuded confidence, echoing one sentiment; that the time had come for them to convert all their previous successes to the main stage and fulfil the dreams of millions of fans.

"There is no pressure. Expectations are high because of our performances and we are excited. We worked hard and the real test will start from tomorrow. There is no shortage of confidence. People rate us highly and believe that we can beat any big team. Everything will be fruitful if we can do well from tomorrow," said Miraz, who has set a personal goal of becoming the best all-rounder in the tournament.

"We are focused. There is no scope of being complacent because of previous successes because in cricket bad days may come, so we need to be at our best. We know everything about South Africa and we want to play this match like it's the final of the tournament," he added.

Coach Mizanur Rahman said that these boys had played together for quite some time and gelled well. "The combination of this team is excellent and there are scarcely any weak points, but finally it's time for the boys to prove their worth from tomorrow."

The hype surrounding the team is unparalleled and hope is there from every corner that this team will rise to the expectations.