Bangladesh Under-19s finished as group toppers after a 39-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Under-19 Asia Cup.
The top four batters gave Bangladesh a solid start, but none of them managed to convert it into a big innings. There was not a single fifty in the innings, and Bangladesh could only crawl past the 220 mark. However, disciplined bowling from Iqbal Hossain, Shahriar Ahmed and the rest made that total more than enough, as Sri Lanka Under-19 never came close to the target.
In their final Group B match of the Youth Asia Cup on Wednesday in Dubai, Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by 39 runs. After posting 225, they bundled out their opponents for 186.
Bangladesh won all three of their group matches to finish on top and will face Group A runners-up Pakistan in the semi-final.
In the other semi-final, Sri Lanka will take on India. Both matches will be played next Friday.
Coming in as the last batter, Iqbal smashed two sixes in a six-ball 12 before returning figures of three wickets for just 37 runs. His all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
The highest individual score of the day at the ICC Academy ground came from in-form opener Jawad Abrar. After scoring fifties in the previous two matches, he struck four fours and four sixes in a 39-ball 49.
After losing the toss, Bangladesh got off to a flying start through Jawad and Rifat Beg. Their opening partnership produced 84 runs before the stand was broken in the 13th over following Jawad’s aggressive knock.
Rifat fell soon after for 36, which included three boundaries. Both openers were dismissed by pacer Rasitha Nimsara.
Azizul Hakim and Kalam Siddique then added 53 runs together. Azizul scored 29 with two fours, but once he was dismissed, Bangladesh began to lose wickets at regular intervals. From 156 for two, they were bowled out for 225.
The young Tigers lost their last eight wickets for just 69 runs.
Kalam batted for a long time, scoring 32 off 60 balls with one four and one six. Wicketkeeper-batter Farid Khan, batting at seven, added 29 with two sixes and a four. Five Bangladeshi batters failed to reach double figures.
Off-spinner Kavija Gamage starred for Sri Lanka with four wickets for 28 runs, while Rasitha and Viran picked up two wickets each.
Defending a modest total, Bangladesh got the perfect start they needed with the ball thanks to Iqbal and Samiun Bashir. Iqbal had Chiran Chamuditha caught behind in the seventh over, before left-arm spinner Samiun struck twice in quick succession.
When Iqbal dismissed Kavija caught behind in the 17th over, Sri Lanka were struggling at 44 for four. Vimath Dinsara and Chamika Hinatigala then began to rebuild the innings.
Shahriar broke the 36-run stand by removing Vimath and later returned to claim two more wickets in a decisive spell.
Sri Lanka crossed 150 through Adam Hilmy, who scored 29 with one six and three fours. Chamika top-scored for Sri Lanka with 41, hitting a lone boundary.
Brief scores
- Bangladesh Under-19: 225 in 46.3 overs (Jawad 49, Rifat 36, Azizul 29, Kalam 32, Rizan 6, Shahriar 3, Farid 19, Shahriya 0, Samiun 9, Saad 2*, Iqbal 12; Sethmika 6-0-29-0, Rasitha 8-0-57-2, Tharusha 7-0-42-0, Viran 10-1-19-2, Chamika 5-0-27-0, Kavija 10-1-38-4, Dulnith 0.3-0-7-1)
- Sri Lanka Under-19: 186 in 49.1 overs (Dimantha 13, Viran 12, Kithma 0, Kavija 9, Vimath 17, Chamika 41, Dulnith 14, Adam 39, Sethmika 4, Rasitha 12, Tharusha 1*; Iqbal 10-2-37-3, Saad 8.1-1-45-1, Azizul 10-0-31-2, Samiun 10-1-27-2, Shahriar 10-0-27-3, Shahriya 1-0-12-0)
Result: Bangladesh Under-19 won by 39 runs
Man of the Match: Iqbal Hossain
