Bangladesh U-19 started their Asia Cup campaign with a big win with left arm fast bowler Abu Haider’s five wicket haul crushing Malaysia U-19 side by nine wickets at the Sheikh Zayed stadium Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Winning the toss, Malaysia opted to bat first and found it difficult to face the Bangladesh bowlers as the batting side kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Haider claimed five wickets for just eight runs from his eight overs and he was supported by Mustafizur Rahman and Jubair Hossain taking two wickets apiece as Malaysia folded to 50 all out in 25.2 overs.
Ahmed Ismail’s 15 was the highest score for the batting side with 11 extras being the next biggest contributor.
In reply, Bangladesh U-19 reached the total for the loss of opener Zakir Hasan who scored 14. The other opener, Shadman Islam remained unbeaten on 25 with Joyraj Sheikh scoring 10 not out to take Bangladesh to their target in just 10.2 overs.
Bangladesh U-19 will face the strong Afghanistan U-19 side who beat Sri Lanka U-19 team by three wickets on their first match of the tournament yesterday.
In the other matches of the day, defending champions India U-19 side beat UAE U-19 by a huge 189 runs after India posted 320/4, with Akhil Herwadkar scoring a century, before bowling UAE U-19 out for 131 in 40.1 overs.
Pakistan U-19 registered a comfortable 132 run win over Nepal U-19 side. Two Pakistani batsmen - Sami Aslam and Hasan Raza – made hundreds in Pakistan’s total of 311. UAE could only make 179/7 in response.
Meanwhile, the first upset of the tournament took place yesterday when Afghanistan U-19 side defeated a strong Sri Lanka U-19 side by three wickets after the Lankan youths posted 191/9. Afghanistan chased down the target for the loss of seven wickets in the 48th over.
Brief score
Malaysia U-19, 50/10 in 25.2 over
Abu Haider 8/5, Jubair Hossain 7/2, Mustafizur Rahman 17/2
Bangladesh U-19 51/1 in 10.2 over
Shadman Islam 25 not out
Bangladesh won by nine wickets
