Bangladesh secured 3rd place for the first time in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup beating Sri Lanka by three wickets in a close-fought match at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Saturday. In the 3rd place deciding play-off match on the day, chasing a moderate score of 215 runs, the Young Tigers reached their winning milestone scoring 218 for 7 in 49.3 overs. Holding nerve, number-3 batsman Jaker Ali roared for a boundary in the innings last ball to draw the winning line off a Lahiru Kumara delivery. Skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz and number-4 batsman Nazmul Hossain Shanto spurred the host Bangladesh contributing 88 runs in 18 overs in the 3rd wicket. The 3rd wicket started from 59/2 in 17.1 overs and ended up at 147/3 in 35.1 overs as Miraz was run out with a half century of 53 off 66 balls including two boundaries and one six. Later, Miraz was adjudged man of the match. Shanto followed Miraz soon in the same way; he was also run out scoring 40 off 57 balls with one boundary leaving team total at 155/4 in 37.3 overs. Jaker Ali hit unbeaten 31 off 45 balls involving five boundaries while opener Joyraz Sheik added 26 off 54balls with two boundaries. Shafiul Hayet (21 off 37b; 1×4), Mohammad Saifuddin (19off 28b; 1×4) and Mosabbek Hossain (11 off 9b; 1×4) were the other double figure scorers for Bangladesh. Shammu Ashan took two wickets for 39 runs in eight overs. Damitha Silva and Asitha Fernando took one wicket each. Opening bat, after winning the toss, Sri Lanka scored 214 for all in 48.5 overs with skipper Charith Asalanka’s 76 off 99 balls that included six boundaries and one six. Asalanka was caught by Zakir Hasan off Abdul Halim delivery at 214/9 in 48.3 overs. Sri Lanka started with a good note as their opening pair Kamindu Mendis and Salindu Pereira contributed 60 runs in 12 overs. Miraz made the first break through dismissing Pereira (34 off 45b; 5×4) who was stumped by Jaker Ali. Mendis (26 off 31b; 3×4) was trapped lbw also by Miraz at 63/2 in 13.3 overs. Wanidu de Silva (30 off 36b; 2×4) and Sahmmu Ashan (27 off 32b; 4×4, 1×6) were other notable scorers for Sri Lanka. Miraz enjoyed three wickets for 28 runs in 10 overs while Abdul Halim and Mohammad Saifuddin took two wickets for 26 and 48 runs. Earlier, the young Tigers materialised their dreams of semifinals berth in any format of the ICC global cricket eliminating Nepal by 6-wicket in the quarterfinal, but failed to get hold of the final ticket conceding a 3-wicket defeat in the semifinal against West Indies. On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s hope for the final berth ended up with as they conceded a 97-run defeat against India in the first semifinal. Sri Lanka reached the semifinal eliminating England by 6-wicket in the quarterfinal. India and West Indies will play the 11th edition world youth ODI final at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday. The final will start at 9am local time. Brief Score: Bangladesh: 218/7 in 49.3 overs; Mehedi Hasan Miraz 53, Nazmul Hossain Shanto 40, Jaker Ali not out 31, Shammu Ashan 2/39. Sri Lanka: 214/10 in 48.5 overs; Charith Asalanka 76, Salinda Pereira 34, Wanidu de Silva 30, Shammu Ashan 27, Kamindu Mendis 26, Mehedi Hasan Miraz 3/28, Abdul Halim 2/26, Mohammad Saifuddin 2/48. — Fatullah, Feb 13 (UNB)
