Asia Cup defending champion Bangladesh U-19 team. This time they went to the UAE with the dream of becoming champions. Under the leadership of Azizul Hakeem Tamim, the team has also had a great start in the Youth Asia Cup. Having won two matches in a row, they confirmed the semi-finals of the Asia Cup. Bangladesh beat Nepal by 5 wickets on Sunday and booked their ticket to the last four.
From 'B' group, Sri Lanka also booked the ticket for the semi-finals of this year's U-19 Asia Cup with Bangladesh. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will face off in Dubai on Tuesday in the fight to become the group champions.
Batting first, Nepal collected 141 runs. In response, Bangladesh's opening pair broke for 1 run. Kalam Siddiqui was trapped LBW by Hemant Dhami on the sixth ball of the innings. After that, captain Tamim and Jawad Abrar managed the innings with a pair of 91 runs for the second wicket. Yuvraj Khatri broke the pair by returning Jawad to the first ball of the 20th over. Jawad played an innings of 59 runs off 65 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes.
When Shihab returned soon after Jawad, Bangladesh scored 91 for 3 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. Coming close to victory, Yuvara quickly lost 2 wickets again. Still, Tamim's team secured victory by 5 wickets with 128 balls in hand. Bangladesh Under-19 team captain remained unbeaten with 52 runs off 71 balls.
In the beginning Bangladesh invited Nepal to bat after winning the toss. However, the aggressive bowling of the red-green jersey holders lost direction as wickets fell at regular intervals. Uttam Magar and Abhishek Tiwari's 36-run partnership in the eighth wicket could somehow get Nepal close to 150. Akash Tripathi played the highest innings of 43 runs. He scored 43 runs off 77 balls.
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.
