Azizul Hakim Tamim, captain of the victorious U19 Bangladesh cricket team, showcased his grit and wit during the recently concluded ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023. In a tense moment against Pakistan, Tamim missed a delivery, prompting a taunt from the bowler, “Did you see the ball?” Tamim’s retort came swiftly—he smashed the next ball for a six and countered, “Did you see the ball?”

This fiery exchange exemplified Bangladesh's aggressive and fearless attitude throughout the tournament. Their on-field sledging and high-voltage performances proved instrumental in defending their title.

The fiery spirit of Bangladesh’s U19 team isn’t new. In the 2020 U19 World Cup final, the likes of Tanzim Sakib and Shoriful Islam engaged in heated exchanges with the Indian players. This year, under Tamim’s leadership, the young Tigers carried forward the tradition, sparring with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India in key matches.

Tamim explained the rationale behind this aggression, saying, “Sledging happens against good teams. They did it, and so did we. To win, you need a bit of sledging and aggression.”

When faced with sledging from opponents, Tamim motivated his team to stay focused. “To win, you can’t think about who’s ahead or behind. Just keep playing. During moments of excitement and aggression, I reminded them to stay calm and trust Allah,” he shared.

With the U19 Asia Cup trophy secured, this talented batch now eyes even greater challenges. They will defend their title in another U19 Asia Cup and aim for glory in the upcoming U19 World Cup. Tamim acknowledges the weight of expectations and the challenges of transitioning to the senior level, a hurdle many U19 stars struggle to overcome.

However, Tamim is optimistic about the support systems in place. “After U19, there’s the HP Unit, Tigers program, and BPL. The players here aren’t lagging. Most of the current national team players come from the U19 World Cup-winning batch.”

Bangladesh’s victory in the U19 Asia Cup wasn’t just a showcase of cricketing skills but also a testament to their mental toughness and ability to thrive under pressure.