Sister’s loss during WC spurred Bangla captain to win U-19 title

New Delhi: Bangladesh cricket team captain Akbar Ali led his team to the nation’s first-ever Under-19 World Cup title but the captain has been dealing with a great loss in his personal life.

Akbar’s elder sister Khadija Khatun passed away on January 22 this year while giving birth to twins, according to a report in a leading Bangladesh daily Prothom Alo and as reported by The Quint.

Akbar was the youngest of four brothers and a sister and as a staunch supporter of Akbar, Khadija had watched him lead Bangladesh to a nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on January 18 in a group stage match of the world cup.

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But in the final, when the wicket-keeper batsman played the knock of his life — an unbeaten 43 when his team were in a difficult situation, chasing 177 — Khadija could not watch her beloved brother take the nation over the line and in the process, hand Bangladesh their first World Cup title across all age groups.

The cricketer was not informed about his sister’s death initially but he got to know somehow and then questioned one of his brothers why he was not informed about her death.

“Akbar was closest to his sister. She loved Akbar a lot,” Akbar’s father was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo.

“We did not want to inform him at first. He then called after the Pakistan match and questioned his brother why he was not kept in the loop. I did not have the courage to talk to him. I don’t know what to say,” added his father.