Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket team beat England Under-19 Cricket team by five wickets in their play-off match of the ICC Under-19 World Cup at Queenstown in New Zealand on Sunday.
Sent into bat first, England scored 216 off 47.2 overs.
In reply, Bangladesh coasted home making 220 for the loss of five wickets when they had 15 balls to spare.
Bangladesh made a shaky start as they lost opener Pinak Ghosh (7) when the team’s total was 28 for the loss of one wicket.
Opener Saif Hasan and Aminul Islam repaired the early damage contributing together 37 runs for the second wicket partnership before Aminul Islam (20) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Jack Davies off Adam Finch when Bangladesh’s score was 65 for the loss of two wickets.
Saif Hasan hit a captain’s knock of 59. His 89-ball innings was decorated with four fours.
Second-down Towhid Hridoy (10) was caught by Harry Brook when the team’s total was 82 for the loss of three wickets.
Then Saif Hasan and Afif Hossain contributed together 66 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Saif Hasan was trapped leg before wicket by Prem Sisodiya when the Young Tigers’ score was 148 for the loss of four wickets.
Afif Hossain hit a terrific 71. His 86-ball knock was studded with seven fours and a sixer.
Afif Hossain and Mohammad Rakib added together 61 runs in the five-wicket stand before Afif was bowled out by Euan Woods when Bangladesh’s score was 209 for the loss of five wickets.
Then Rakib and Shakil Hossain brought their team to the winning spot.
Rakib remained unbeaten with 28. He hit two fours in his 42-ball innings.
Adam Finch bagged a couple of wickets at the cost of 36 runs, while Euan Woods, Prem Sisodiya and ER Bamber took one wicket each for 27, 32 and 32 runs respectively.
Earlier, Opener Liam Banks and one-dawn Harry Brook fought back against the tight bowling attack of Bangladesh bowlers.
Liam Banks made a superb 74. His 82-ball innings was laced with eight fours and a sixer, while Harry Brook hit a run-a-ball 66 featuring nine fours.
Afif Hossain and Hasan Mahmud grabbed three wickets each instead of 18 and 29 runs respectively, while Qazi Onik bagged a pair of wickets at the cost of 46 runs.
Besides, Robiul Haque and Mohammad Rakib took one wicket each for 27 and 39 runs respectively.
Afif Hossain was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
