Bangladesh lose to Sri Lanka in U-19 Asia Cup opener

Sports Desk: Bangladesh U-19 team started their ACC U-19 Asia Cup campaign with a losing note as they suffered a six-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in their group B opening match held on Saturday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.

Forced to bat first by Sri Lanka, Bangladesh suffered early batting jolt as they slipped 5 for 95 and eventually dismissed at a paltry total of 141 in 46.4 overs. Skipper Touhid Hridoy top scored with 35 runs followed by opener Tanzid Hasan(24) and Shamim Hossain (20) as the host failed to stage a fight back losing wickets in regular intervals in the face of tight bowling display by the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Shashika Dulshan, Dulith Wellalage and Kalhara Senarathne were the pick of Sri Lankan bowlers as they all shared two wickets conceding 11, 21 and 31 runs respectively.

In reply, Sri Lanka also lost their openers early but Nuwanidu Fernando’s match-winning 64 runs steered Sri Lanka at home for the loss of four wickets with 73 balls remaining. Nuwanidu and Pasindu Sooriyabandara (36) also involved 90-run useful partnership for the fourth wicket stand.

Shariful Islam of Bangladesh captured two wickets giving away 29 runs. Bangladesh will play their second group match against Pakistan on Sunday.

In the day’s second group B match of the tournament held at MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, Pakistan recorded an overwhelming nine-wicket victory over Hong Kong.

Asked to bat first by Pakistan, Hong Kong were bundled out for 77 in 33 overs with Haroon Arshed (36) was the only Hong Kong batsman able to reach the double figure.

Naseem Shah of Pakistan caused the major damage for Hong Kong as he grabbed five wickets conceding 13 runs. He was well supported by Junaid Khan who captured three wickets giving away 23 runs.

In reply, Pakistan comfortable reached home in 14.4 overs with nine wickets in hand. After the departure of Saim Ayub for 15, Muhammad Mohsin Khan and Rohail Nazir led Pakistan to the victory to remain unbeaten on 32 and 24 runs respectively.

Nasrulla Rana of Hong Kong took the only wicket of Pakistan for 21 runs.

In the day’s group A match, Afghanistan U-19 team registered a five-wickets victory over United Arab Emirates (UAE) U-19 team held at BKSP ground in Savar.

Invited to bat first by Afghanistan, UAE cheaply dismissed at a paltry total of 140 in 43.5 overs with Brandon Adam top scoring 25 runs. Qais Ahmed grabbed four UAE’s wickets for 40 runs.

Chasing a small target of 141 runs set by UAE, Afghanistan hardly had to sweat as they comfortable reached home making 144 for the loss of five wickets in 27 overs.

Azmatullah Omarzai and Baseer Khan contributed unbeaten 50 and 20 runs respectively for Afghanistan while Palaniapan Meiyappan of UAE took two Afghan’s wickets giving away 39 runs.

In the day’s another group A match also held BKSP ground, India crushed Nepal by 171 runs. Opted to bat first after winning the toss, India U-19 team, rode on opener Jaiswal’s polish 104-run knock, piled up a massive total of 304 for 9 from their allotted 50 overs.

Bhim Sharki was the most successful bowler as he claimed four Indian’s wickets conceding 42 runs.

In reply, Nepal U-19 team found the chase stiff and eventually dismissed at 133 in 36.5 overs. Desai and Harsh Tyagi were the pick of Indian bowlers as they claimed three wickets each conceding 19 and 21 runs respectively.

They were well supported by Jangra who took two wickets for 34 runs.


risingbd/Dhaka/September 29, 2018/A K Azad