Bangladesh U-19 team suffered a shocking two-run defeat to India in the first semi-final of the U-19 Asia Cup on Thursday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.
Bangladesh suffered early batting jolt as they slipped 5 for 65 in 19.3 overs. However a 74-run sixth-wicket stand between Akbar Ali and Shamim Hossain — the team’s most consistent batsmen in this Asia Cup campaign, had brought Bangladesh back into the game to chase India’s 172 runs.
Akbar fell to Harsh Tyagi in the 36th over after making a responsible 45 runs that handed India the momentum. Shamim, who scored 59 runs off 81-ball when the Tigers needed 12 runs. Bangladesh fell short of India’s total by just two runs. Mohit Jangra and SA Desai shared three of Bangladesh’s wickets for India.
Earlier, a disciplined bowling attack from the bowlers saw the junior Tigers dismiss India at a small total of 172 in 49.3 overs after India opted to bat first.
Shoriful Islam got the scalp of opener Devdutt Paddikal in the third over but India recovered after the early loss with a 66-run second-wicket stand.
Shoriful came into the attack for his second spell to break the partnership, sending back Anuj Rawat for 35.
India kept losing wickets at regular intervals as Shoriful finished with fantastic figures of 16 for 3 from 10 overs.
The Indian lower orders — Sameer Choudhary (36) and Ayush Badoni (28) offered some resistance but performances from Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Rishad Hossain and Towhid Hridoy, who all took two wickets apiece meant the visitors were not able to play the full 50 overs.