ICC U19 World Cup 2020, Standout team, biggest moment, best team – Bangladesh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Spirit of Cricket

After 48 matches across nearly a month, the cricket world has a new U19 champion – Bangladesh. It wasn’t what many expected, but that was in keeping with a tournament full of twists and turns and late thrillers. We look at all the talking points.

Standout team – Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s victory in the tournament could be a landmark moment in the nation’s cricketing prospects over the next decade or so. It was their first big title at an ICC event, and what was impressive was that, despite India being the favourites, Bangladesh came out with the belief and intention to win it, even if that crossed the line at times. It made for a feisty encounter with a lot of flash point, but in the Bangladesh were deserved winners, simply because they played better cricket on the day. The moment is already a significant signpost in Bangladesh’s cricketing history.

Standout player – Yashasvi Jaiswal

He was rightly named Player of the Tournament, but it was his absolute disinterest and disappointment in the personal accolade that sent plaudits his way. Jaiswal was too disappointed with the defeat to even muster fake enthusiasm for the award. However, there’s no denying he was the standout player at the tournament, easily the most consistent. He scored 400 runs in all, at an average of 133.33 and a strike-rate of 82.47. Of the current crop of Indian players, he’s one of the most likely to take the next step.

Standout moment – New Zealand players uphold Spirit of Cricket

It was the quarter-final clash between New Zealand and West Indies. The boys from the Caribbean were in the middle of putting up a tall target, with Kirk McKenzie leading the effort, when he went down with a case of severe cramps. He retired hurt, but came back in when West Indies were on the verge of being bowled out. He was on 99 at the time, and despite coming back, was dismissed without being able to add to his score. As he was limping back, the New Zealand boys – Joey Field and Jesse Tashkoff – went up to him, and said they’d carry him to the dressing room. And so they did. It was a moment that signified what cricket in New Zealand is all about – good spirit, camaraderie and respect. New Zealand’s future, and indeed cricket’s, is in good hands.

Room for improvement – Attitudes

Perhaps the most unfortunate aspect of the tournament came at the very end. Unfortunately, the Bangladesh players, pumped up after an encounter full of needle, celebrated in the face of the Indians, who didn’t take kindly to it. There ensued a melee, and it was a while before it all ended, and the celebrations actually began. The whole match, unfortunately, was played in a tense environment, starting from Sakib’s non-apologetic throw straight at Divyaansh Saxena’s head after he’d defended the ball back to the bowler early in the match. These are boys, still, and it’s evident they were all sent out with these premeditated intentions to stir trouble. There is no denying the need for this passion in international sport, but let’s keep the kids out of it.

Standout quote

“This is the stepping-stone for our future cricket. And this is just the beginning.”

• Bangladesh captain Akbar Ali sends out a statement.