Sports Reporter :Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket team emerged as the champions of the Group ‘A’ of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup (CWC) defeating Namibia Cricket team by eight wickets in their last group match at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday. Earlier, the Junior Tigers and Namibia confirmed their quarterfinals berth.Bangladesh bagged maximum six points from three matches, while Namibia, the runners-up of Group ‘A’ collected four points from as many matches.Chasing Namibia’s paltry total of 65 off 32.5 overs, Bangladesh sailed home in just 16 overs making 66 for the loss of two wickets.Bangladesh made an unsteady start losing their early two wickets for 13 runs.Then Joyraz Sheik and Nazmul Hossain Shanto salvaged the team from danger contributing 53 runs together for the unbroken third wicket stand.Joyraz remained unbeaten with 34. His 55-ball innings was studded with five fours.Nazmul Hossain Shanto hit 14 (not out) off 23 balls.F Coetzee of Namibia got two wickets conceding 20 runs. Earlier, Bangladeshi bowlers totally dominated over their African counterpart. Namibian batsmen failed to build any notable partnership against the accurate bowling attack of Bangladeshi bowlers.Namibia lost their wickets in regular intervals.Opener N Davin and second-down L Louwrens were the two batsmen of Namibia who could reach double digit figures scoring 19 and 17 runs respectively.Saleh Ahmed Shaon, Ariful Islam and Mehedi Hasan Miraz played the key role in demolishing Naminbia’s innings. Miraz is now the highest wicket taker in Youth ODI. Shaon, Miraz, Ariful grabbed a pair of wickets each for 10, nine and 12 runs respectively.Saeed Sarkar and Mohammad Saifuddin gave them a good support taking one wicket each at the cost of two and 15 runs respectively.Shaon was adjudged the Man of the Match.Bangladesh, the Group ‘A’ champions will take on Nepal, the runners-up of Group ‘D’ in the quarterfinal at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on February 5. The match will start at 9.00 am.
