The real challenge starts now, says Miraz

Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh Under-19 captain who led the team to a third-place finish, wants to improve his overall skills before he vies for a place in the senior team. Miraz, scored 242 runs in six innings and also picked up 12 wickets at 17.66 to earn the Man of the Tournament award.

"I just ended my career at the Under-19 level and like every other cricketer, I also dream to play at the highest level for my country," Miraz said. "But this requires perseverance and hard work, and I want to develop myself as a better cricketer in the time I will get to transform myself.

"It is a big achievement for me to win the player-of-the-tournament award; not just for me, but for the whole team and the nation too. Sixteen teams participated in the event and our team came third and among them I got the award. This is actually massive."

Miraz said that the Bangladesh team could have played the final but for an inspired West Indies side who beat them in the semi-final in Mirpur. Now he wants to move forward quickly and could possibly play for South Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League first-class tournament.

"We had a great unit too and deserved to win the trophy," he said. "But a few mistakes cost us the [semi-final] match. We respected the West Indies but we had the confidence in us. We just couldn't translate it into action.

"I think there were expectations on me because I played well. I will need to hold on to the belief that I can carry myself forward. I am not satisfied with these achievements only. I want to go up the ladder and give some moments of happiness to my nation."