Bangladesh under-23 team’s hope of playing final in the Asian Cricket Council Emerging Teams Cup vanished into blue as they suffered an eight- wicket defeat to Sri Lanka under-23 team in the first semi-final held on Saturday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
Chasing a paltry target of 180 runs set by Bangladesh, the visitors hardly had to sweat as they comfortable reached the target in 38.5 overs with eight wickets in hand.
Though Sri Lanka were reduced to 15 for 2 inside four overs, but solid batting display by opener Sadeera Samarawickrama (88 n.o) and Charith Asalanka (83 n.o) ensured Sri Lankan’s final berth of the tournament.
Nayeem Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin took one wicket each conceding 28 and 45 runs respectively.
Earlier, Bangladesh were dismissed at a paltry total of 179 all out in 49.3 overs against, after the host opted to bat first.
The right-arm pace bowler Asitha Fernando threatened early inroad on Bangladesh innings as he sent back opener Afif Hossain for 8 with the first ball and then dismissed captain Mominul Haque for a duck before castling Nazmul Hossain to completing a brilliant hattrick. The three quick blows reduced Bangladesh from 20 for no loss to 20-3 from where they could not recover from their early collapse.
However the eighth wicket stand of 53 in 72 balls between Mohammad Saifuddin and Abul Hasan Raju saved Bangladesh from total embarrassment as the duo enabled Bangladesh to reach a decent total in the end.
Nasir Hossain was the top-scorer with 39 from 59. Saif Hassan was out on 32 and Saifuddin’s 37 helped the hosts with some useful runs late in their innings.
Asitha Fernando was the pick of Sri Lankan bowler as he grabbed four Bangladesh’s wickets conceding 33 runs.
