Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team advanced to the final of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 after defeating Pakistan U19 by a convincing seven wickets in the first semifinal held on Friday. The match saw Bangladesh chase down Pakistan’s modest target of 117 runs in just 22.1 overs, showcasing a dominant performance.
Pakistan, batting first, struggled throughout their innings. Their batting lineup faltered under pressure, failing to replicate the impressive performances seen in their earlier matches. Openers Usman Khan and Shahzaib Khan were dismissed for ducks, setting the tone for a disappointing innings. Riazullah was the top scorer for Pakistan with 28 runs, while Saad Baig contributed 18. However, their efforts were insufficient to build a competitive total.
Bangladesh’s bowling attack was led by the outstanding Iqbal Hassan Emon, who delivered a stellar performance with a four-wicket haul, dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup. Maruf Maridah also chipped in with two crucial wickets, further tightening the grip on Pakistan’s innings.
In response, Bangladesh cruised to victory with a commanding batting display. Captain Azizul Hakim Tamim played a match-winning knock, scoring a brilliant 61 runs to anchor the chase. He was supported by Mohammad Shihab James, who contributed a solid 26 runs. The duo’s partnership ensured there were no hiccups in the chase, as Bangladesh reached the target with 27.5 overs to spare.
Pakistan’s bowlers managed to claim only three wickets during Bangladesh’s innings, with Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan, and Naveed Khan picking up one wicket each. However, the bowlers lacked the support of a challenging total to defend, making their efforts futile.
With this win, Bangladesh U19 secured their spot in the final, where they will face India U19. India also registered an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka U19 in the second semifinal. The final showdown between Bangladesh and India promises to be an exciting contest, as both teams have demonstrated strong performances throughout the tournament.