Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket team made a flying start in the ICC Under-19 World Cup Cricket defeating South Africa Under-19 Cricket team by 43 runs in the inaugural match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Wednesday.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a healthy total of 240 for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then bowled out South Africa for 197 off 48.4 overs.
Bangladesh had a shaky start as the hosts lost their opener Saif Hassan (6) when Bangladesh’s score was 30.
Then opener Pinak Ghosh and Joyraz Sheik repaired the damage contributing together 44 runs for the second wicket partnership before Pinak Ghosh was run out by a joint effort of W Ludick and wicketkeeper K Verreynne when Bangladesh’s total was 74 for the loss of two wickets.
After the dismissal of Pinak Ghosh, Joyraz Sheik and Nazmul Hossain Shnto added together 29 runs in the third wicket stand before Joyraz Sheik was caught behind by wicketkeeper Verreynne off S Whitehead when Bangladesh’s score was 103 for the loss of three wickets.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto hit a splendid 73 from 82 balls featuring three sixes and four fours. Shanto was adjudged the Man of the Match for his impressive innings.
After departure of Joyraz Sheik, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mehedi Hasan Miraz build a worthy partnership contributing together 59 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Miraz was caught at the mid-wicket by Ludick off T de Zorzi when the hosts’ total was 162 for the loss of four wickets.
Then Shanto and Zakir Hasan put on together 45 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Zakir Hasan was bowled out by P Mulder when the home side’s score was 207 for the loss of five wickets.
Joyraz Sheik notched up a fine 46 from 50 balls hitting six fours and a sixer while Pinak Ghosh hit a polished 43 off 51 balls with four fours and two sixes.
Later, Shanto was bowled by P Mulder when Bangladesh’s score was 234 for the loss of seven wickets.
Mulder was the peak of South African’s bowlers who captured three wickets at the cost of 42 runs.
Opener L Smith of was the only batsman for South Africa who fought back against the tight and controlled bowling attack of Bangladesh. Smith hit a century but it went to into vain as the other batsmen of his side failed to give him a good support.
Smith made an exact 100. His 146-ball innings was ornamented with nine fours and a sixer.
Mohammad Saifuddin and Mehedi Hasan Miraz grabbed three wickets each instead of 30 and 37 runs respectively while Saleh Ahmed and Saeed Sarkar bagged a pair of wickets each for 37 and 39 runs respectively.
