Sabbir Hossain :Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket team stormed into the semi-finals of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup (CWC) outplaying Nepal team by six wickets in the first quarterfinal at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday. The Junior Tigers for the first time qualified for semi-finals in any format of ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.Trailing Nepal’s modest total of 211 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs, the Junior Tigers coasted home making 215 for the loss of four wickets when they had 10 balls to spare.Bangladesh faced an early debacle losing their opener Saif Hassan (5), who was trapped leg before wicket S Dhamala when Bangladesh’s total was 17.Then Pinak Ghosh and Joyraz Sheikh repaired the early damage contributing together 46 runs for the second wicket partnership before Pinak Ghosh was unfortunately run out by S Kandel when the team’s score was 63 for the loss of two wickets.After dismissal of Pinak, second-down Nazmul Hossain Shanto (8) could stay at the crease for a short period as he was caught and bowled by S Lamichhane when the Jonior Tigers’ total was 75 for the loss of three wickets.Then Bangladesh were under pressure when Joyraz Sheikh was trapped leg before wicket by Dhamala when Bangladesh’s total was 98 for the loss of four wickets.However, wicketkeeper-batsman Zakir Hasan and Mehedi Hasan Miraz salvaged the hosts from danger playing key role to reach victory target. They put on together 117 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket stand.Zakir Hasan remained undefeated with 75. His 77-ball innings was ornamented with five fours and one sixer, while Mehedi Hasan Miraz remained unbeaten with 55. His 65-ball innings was studded with three boundaries. Earlier, Miraz took one wicket for 51 runs and acted a vital role for Bangladesh’s victory by run out a Nepalese batsman. Miraz was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.Joyraz Sheik notched up 38 from 67 balls featuring four fours, while Pinak Ghosh made 32 off 54 balls hitting two fours.S Dhamala bagged a pair of wickets at the cost of 33 runs.Earlier, Nepal had a shaky start as Daughter of Himalayas losing early two wickets for 19 runs. Then opener S Dhamala and R Rijal built a notable partnership for Nepal. They added together 44 runs in the third wicket stand before S Dhamala was run out by a joint-effort of Nazmul Hossain Shanto and wicketkeeper Zakir Hasan when Nepal’s score was 63 for the loss of three wickets.After departure of Dhamala, R Rijal and Arif Sheikh contributed together 51 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Arif Sheikh was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Joyraz Sheik off Mohammad Saifuddin when Nepal’s total was 114 for the loss of four wickets.R Rijal fought back against the controlled and tight bowling attack and entertaining fielding by the Bangladeshi youngsters.Rijal hit a splendid 72 from 80 balls featuring eight fours and a sixer before he was run out by a joint-attempt of Nazmul Hossain Shanto and wicketkeeper Zakir Hasan when Nepal’s total was 146 for the loss of five wickets.Four batsmen of Nepal were the victims of run out. Mohammad Saifuddin picked up two wickets instead of 38 runs, while Mehedi Hasan Rana and Saleh Ahmed Shaon took one wicket each for 30 and 31 runs respectively.The much-cherished Cup is now two matches away for the Junior Tigers.
