Nazmul Hossain Shanto’s well-composed hundred enabled Bangladesh Under-19 to register a comfortable 63-run win against Zimbabwe U19 in the opening day of the official Under-19 World Cup warm-up matches.
Three-time champions India, 1998 winners England and two-time champions Pakistan also flexed their batting firepower to win their respective warm-up matches yesterday ahead of the global event which starts this Wednesday. There were also wins for Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
The 11th edition of the biennial 16-nation tournament features nine Test-playing nations and seven Associate and Affiliate Members – Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Namibia, Nepal, Ireland and Scotland.
Teams have been divided into four groups with the top two in each advancing to the Super League quarter-finals and the other two qualifying for the Plate championships.
Bangladesh U19 v Zimbabwe U19
William Mashinge’s five-wicket haul and Ryan Murray’s unbeaten 123 were not enough for the Zimbabwean youth to repeat what the seniors did last Friday. Eventually it was Shanto’s 103-ball 102 that proved to be the deciding factor for the home side, who batted first to pile up a challenging 284 for nine in 50 overs.
Bangladesh later restricted Zimbabwe to 221 for seven to land an impressive win at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
India U19 v Canada U19
India, coached by batting great Rahul Dravid, thrashed Canada’s hapless bowlers to score a mammoth 485 for three on way to a 372-run victory. Captain Ishan Kishan smashed 138 off 86 balls while Ricky Bhui struck 115 off 71 balls. Canada folded up for just 113 in 31.1 overs as leg-spinner Mahipal Lomror claimed three wickets for 19 runs.
England U19 v Namibia U19
England’s left-arm seamer Sam Curran grabbed five wickets for 10 runs in eight overs to steer his side to a comfortable 155-run win over Namibia. England made 307 for seven after being sent into bat with openers Dan Lawrence (85) and Max Holden (81) sharing a first-wicket stand of 151 runs. Namibia was bowled out for 152 runs in reply.
Pakistan U19 v Nepal U19
Pakistan scored 291 against Nepal with opener Zeeshan Malik making 83 and Umair Masood chipping in with a 36-ball 59. Nepal replied with 181 for nine to lose by 110 runs. Sameen Gul, Shadab Khan and Arsal Sheikh took two wickets apiece.
Sri Lanka U19 v New Zealand U19
Shammu Ashan hit 66 off 69 balls to steer Sri Lanka to a four-wicket win over New Zealand, whose 204 for eight after being sent in to bat revolved around captain Josh Finnie’s 54. Sri Lanka surpassed the target in 36.1 overs.
