Senior team has a lot to learn from the Under-19 team: Mominul

Bangladesh Test captain Mominul Haque insisted that the senior team should learn from the Under-19 team, specially the determination with which they captured the success in the ICC Youth World Cup.

A day when Bangladesh was erupted with joy following the Under-19 team's classical three-wicket victory over mighty India which, Mominul's team was on the verge of another innings defeat against Pakistan.

It was expected that the Under-19 team's success would inspire the senior team, at least to avoid the humiliating innings defeat. But that was not to be, as they were able to add just 42 runs to their overnight total to be all out for 168 and tasted an innings and 44-run defeat to Pakistan.

It was their sixth defeat in Test cricket in a row, amongst which five defeats came at innings margin, proving how vulnerable they still are in the longer version format.

Mominul was dejected for this defeat, which was third straight innings defeat since he was appointed as the captain. But he didn't hesitate to congratulate the junior teams, adding that they have much to learn from the Under-19 team.

"Junior or senior, you can learn from everywhere. They gave some ideas of how to do well. I have to congratulate them. In Test matches we have to improve," he said after the match. More than the victory, what was pleasing factor was the Under-19 team's stubbornness to win the game despite India came on top during the most part of the Bangladesh's chase. Skipper Akbar Ali remained cool under tremendous pressure to guide the side to the victory, what labeled as historic feat.

"They fought back really hard. We should learn from them. We also have to learn one more thing from them which is the way they believe in every moment," Mominul added.

Mominul termed their hunger for victory as the best thing what the senior team should emulate.

"They showed the hunger that is necessary to win a game in any level. I know they have been together for two years and played so many matches. But what is most striking factor is they backed each other on the field and pushed each other to win the game. This is the greatest achievement of Bangladesh cricket and I think this will inspire us a lot to overcome every odds to become a good cricketing nation," he remarked.

Mominul however blamed their lackluster batting effort as the reason for their humiliating defeat.

"The wicket was very batting friendly and we could not build big partnerships. We settled down in the wicket after some runs and then got out," he concluded.