2020 champions Bangladesh kept alive their hopes of advancing to the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup with a five-wicket win over Nepal in Bloemfontein Wednesday.
The young Tigers are third with four points from three matches in the Super Six points table, behind India and Pakistan, who both have six points each from three games.
India have one foot in the semis as one of the top two teams in Group 1, thanks to their superior net run rate of +3.33, while Pakistan (+1.064) and Bangladesh (+0.348) will face each other in Benoni Saturday in a virtual quarter-final.
Only a comprehensive victory for Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Co will take the youngsters in red and green through to the last four.
In their pursuit of a semi-final berth, Bangladesh dismissed Nepal for 169 in 49.5 overs after Dev Khanal elected to bat first.
Right-arm seamer Rohanat Doullah Borson bagged four wickets while off-spinner Sheikh Parvez Jibon took three.
In reply, Bangladesh coasted to their target in 25.2 overs riding on half centuries from opener Jishan Alam (55) and the unbeaten Ariful Islam (59).
29TH MATCH
Nepal U-19 169 in 49.5 overs (Borson 4/19, Jibon 3/34) lost to Bangladesh U-19 170/5 in 25.2 overs (Ariful 59*, Jishan 55) by 5 wickets