Bangladesh reach semi-finals after Sri Lanka beat Pakistan

Sports Desk: Hosts Bangladesh secured spot in the semifinals of the eight-nation ACC Under-19 Asia Cup as Group B runners-up after Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs.

Bangladesh beat Hong Kong in their match by five wickets with 232 balls to spare at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Monday.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka emerged Group B champions with all-win run eliminating Pakistan by 23 runs at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram while India clinched the Group A title, also with all-win record beating Afghanistan by 51 runs at BKSP ground-3 in Savar.

The final will be held on Sunday in Dhaka.

In the semifinals, India will play Bangladesh on Thursday (October 4) while Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan on Friday (Oct 5) in Dhaka.

Sent into bat first in the day’s last group match, Hong Kong were bundled out cheaply for 91 runs in 46.5 overs with Kalhan Challu and A Gorawara scoring 16 each, skipper Kabir Sodhi 13 and Haroon Arshad 10 runs.

Rishad Hossain grabbed three Hong Kong wickets for 11 runs in his 7.5 over spell to be adjudged man of the match while Mrittunjoy and Rakibul Hasan claimed two wickets each conceding 16 and 17 runs respectively.

In reply, Bangladesh easily reached their target scoring the match-winner 92 runs for the loss of five wickets in only 11.2 overs.

After dismissal of top four batsmen for just 30 runs in five overs, number five wicket –keeper cum batsman Akbar Ali pairing with number six Mahmudul Hasan Joy repaired the early damage contributing 58 runs in the 5th wicket stand to carry team total near victory.

Mahmudul Hasan quick-fired team highest 32 runs off just 20 balls featuring four fours and one six, Akbar Ali scored 19-ball 25 runs hitting one four and a six while opener Tanzid hasan made run-a-ball 15 with one four and a six.

Nasrulla Ran captured four wickets for 39 runs while Hasan Khan Mohammad took one wicket for five runs.

Earlier on Monday, Bangladesh tasted the first win in their 2nd Group B match defeating Pakistan by three wickets after conceding a six-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka on Saturday at the same venue.


risingbd/Dhaka/October 02, 2018/A K  Azad