Bangladesh has entered the Under-19 Asia Cup with the aim of retaining the title. Under the leadership of Azizul Hakeem Tamim, the team has also had a great start in the Youth Asia Cup. The defending champions confirmed the semi-finals of the 2024 U-19 Asia Cup by winning two consecutive matches.
Bangladesh U-19 team started their mission to retain the U-19 Asia Cup title by defeating Afghanistan by 45 runs yesterday in Dubai. Bangladesh has maintained that continuity even today. Tamimra beat Nepal by 5 wickets and won the ticket to the semi-finals of the U-19 Asia Cup.
The opening pair in Bangladesh broke the team's target of 142 runs by 1 run. Kalam Siddiqui was trapped lbw by Hemant Dhami on the sixth ball of the innings. This time too, the captain Tamim had to go down early. Tamim contributed to a partnership of 91 runs for the second wicket with Jawad Abrar. Yuvraj Khatri broke the pair by returning Jawad to the first ball of the 20th over. Jawad scored 59 runs off 65 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes.
Khatri bowled Mohammad Shihab James just after breaking the 91-run partnership. When Jawad, Shihab returned two batsmen in succession, Bangladesh scored 91 runs for 3 wickets in 19.2 overs. In such a situation, Tamim contributed to a partnership of 43 runs with Mohammad Farid Hasan Faisal for the fourth wicket. As Bangladesh came close to victory, the team lost a couple of wickets. Faisal, Rizan Hossain – these two batsmen were sent back by Khatri in the fifth and last ball of the 28th over.
It took Bangladesh only 4 balls to score the remaining 8 runs. Tamim's team won by 5 wickets with 128 balls in hand. Bangladesh Under-19 team captain remains unbeaten with 52 runs off 71 balls. Hit 2 fours and 3 sixes.
Bangladesh captain Tamim won the toss and decided to field today. With Bangladesh's aggressive bowling losing wickets at regular intervals, Nepal's score became 93 for 7 in 34.4 overs. Nepal in danger found Disha with Uttam Magar and Abhishek Tiwari's 36-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Apart from this pair, there was nothing more to say about the team's innings. Nepal were bowled out for 141 runs in 45.4 overs. Akash Tripathi scored 43 runs in the innings. Akash scored 43 runs off 77 balls. This opener of Nepal hit 5 fours in the innings. Bangladesh's Rizan Hossain, Iqbal Hossain Imon, Al Fahad took 2 wickets each. Where Rizan spent 8 runs in 6 overs. He also gave an over maiden.
Sri Lanka has booked the semi-final ticket in this year's U-19 Asia Cup with Bangladesh from the 'B' group. Lankans beat Afghanistan by 131 runs in Sharjah. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have 4 points but the Lankans are ahead due to net run rate. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh net run rate +1.860 and +1.463. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will meet tomorrow in Dubai in the fight to become the group champions.
