BSS, Dhaka :
Coming here in West Indies to defend their title, the Bangladesh Under-19 team’s mission turned out to be disastrous one when they finished in eighth place after a closely fought two-wicket defeat to South Africa in Antigua on Thursday.
The outcome obviously would disappoint Ariful Islam who hit his back to back century to help his side amass the highest total in this edition of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Ariful struck 102 as the reigning champions Bangladesh compiled a hefty 293-8 but still failed to defend the total as South Africa cantered to the victory with 298-8 in 48.5 overs. Ariful earlier also hammered a 100 against Pakistan in the 5th place playoff but saw his side being defeated by six wickets.
At the Coolidge Cricket Ground, South Africa were also aiming to end their time in the Caribbean on a high, taking on Bangladesh in the 7th place playoff, an ICC press release said.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh made a strong start reaching 50 without loss only for Mahfijul Islam to fall to Liam Alder in the 10th over.
But fourth man in Ariful Islam kept maximum pressure on the South African attack, smashing 102 from 103 balls and finding the boundary on 12 separate occasions. The 17-year-old looked untouchable for so much of the Bangladeshi innings, right until the 47th over when Mathew Boast found a good line and Islam pulled his shot to South Africa captain George Van Heerden.
The Bengal Tigers eventually reached a strong total of 293-8 at the end of their 50 overs. In reply, South Africa lost Jade Smith in the sixth over when outside edging Musfik Hasan’s delivery.
But Dewald Brevis, who hit 97 in the quarter-final defeat to England, offered some hope for his team with a century eventually finishing with 138 off 130 balls.
