The Bangladesh U-19 cricket team has secured a spot in the semifinals of the U-19 Asia Cup with one match to spare. After a strong start with a victory over Afghanistan, the young Tigers delivered another commanding performance, defeating Nepal by 5 wickets in their second group match.
On Sunday, December 1, Bangladesh faced Nepal in Dubai and bowled them out for just 141 runs. The Tigers chased the target comfortably, with 128 balls to spare.
Match Summary
Nepal Innings: Nepal struggled to build partnerships, losing wickets regularly. Their highest partnership was 32 runs for the ninth wicket, while no other stand exceeded 20 runs.
Top Scorers for Nepal:
Akash Tripathi: 43 runs off 77 balls
Uttam Thapa & Abhishek Tiwari: 29 runs each
Extras: 17 (third highest contributor)
Bangladesh Bowlers:
Fahad, Iman, and Rizwan took 2 wickets each, dismantling Nepal’s batting lineup.
Bangladesh Innings: Chasing a modest target, Bangladesh lost Kalam Siddique for just 1 run. However, a solid 90-run second-wicket partnership between Jawad Abrar (59 off 65) and Azizul Hakim (52 off 71) set the foundation.
After Jawad’s dismissal, Bangladesh lost three quick wickets, including two golden ducks from Shihab James and Rizwan. Nonetheless, Azizul Hakim’s composed half-century ensured a comfortable victory.
Semifinal Qualification
With back-to-back wins and 4 points, Bangladesh, the defending champions, has confirmed their place in the semifinals. Sri Lanka has also qualified with two wins. The group-toppers will be decided on Tuesday when Bangladesh faces Sri Lanka.
Highlights:
Nepal’s Struggles: Their inability to form significant partnerships led to their downfall.
Bangladesh’s Bowlers Shine: Disciplined performances from the bowling unit set the tone for the win.
Azizul Hakim’s Finishing Touch: His unbeaten 52 ensured Bangladesh’s smooth chase.
The Tigers are now set to take on Sri Lanka in a crucial match to determine the group champion before heading into the semifinals.
