Bangladesh were knocked out of the Under-19 World Cup after a heartbreaking five-run loss against Pakistan in Benoni Saturday.
India and Pakistan both finished on eight points and progressed to the semi-finals from Group 1, joining Australia and South Africa from Group 2.
The young Tigers ended their Group 1 campaign at third place with four points from as many matches and will ponder what might have been.
Bangladesh captain Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby won the toss and decided to bowl and the youngsters in red and green were off to a terrific start, dismissing Pakistan for 155 in 40.4 overs.
Arafat Minhas top-scored for Pakistan with 34 while Shahzaib Khan chipped in with 26.
Rohanat Doullah Borson and Sheikh Parvez Jibon both returned figure of 4/24 and all Bangladesh had to do was chase down the target in 38.1 overs and leapfrog Pakistan with a superior net run rate.
However, as things happened, the young Tigers were all out for a disappointing 150 in 35.5 overs as their semi-final hopes were dashed.
Despite useful contributions from Mohammad Shihab James (26), Borson (21*) and Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan (20), Bangladesh batters were eventually unable to hold their nerve.
Pakistan’s Ubaid Shah recorded figure of 5/44 while Ali Raza picked up three wickets.
36TH MATCH
Pakistan U-19 155 in 40.4 overs (Arafat 34, Jibon 4/24) beat Bangladesh U-19 150 in 35.5 overs (James 26, Ubaid 5/44) by 5 runs
