Dubai, Dec 8 (UNI) Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team claimed a commanding 59-run victory over India U19 in the final of the ACC U19 Asia Cup on Sunday.
The defending champions posted a total of 198 runs in 49.1 overs, while India were bowled out for 139 runs in 35.2 overs, succumbing to a clinical bowling performance from Bangladesh.
The standout performer with the ball was Mohammad Azizul Hakim Tamim, who took 3 wickets for just 8 runs. His pivotal spell dismantled India’s middle order, claiming the scalps of Hardik Raj, Mohamed Amaan, and Chetan Sharma. Tamim’s timely breakthroughs left India struggling to build partnerships and ultimately derailed their chase.
India’s pursuit of 199 runs faltered early as they lost both openers cheaply. Ayush Mhatre (1) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (9) fell quickly, leaving the team at a fragile 24/2. Andre Siddarth (20) and Hardik Raj (24) offered brief resistance, but their efforts proved insufficient against the consistent Bangladesh attack. Farid Hasan Faysal was instrumental in the field, taking multiple catches to pile the pressure on India.
Siddarth, who had shown some early aggression, was dismissed by Mohammad Rizan Hossan, leaving India at 44/3. As wickets continued to tumble, the chase fell apart with India’s lower order failing to make an impact. Key dismissals, including Harvansh Singh (6), Nikhil Kumar (0), and Kiran Chormale (1), left India reeling. The tail collapsed as Mohamed Amaan (26) was dismissed by Tamim, and India were eventually all out for 139.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh had a strong start with Zawad Abrar hitting a six off the fifth ball of the match. However, India’s bowlers, led by Yudhajit Guha, struck at regular intervals. Guha made the breakthrough in the seventh over, dismissing Kalam Siddiki Aleen for just 1, and returned in the final over to remove Iqbal Hossain Emon for another single.
Sharma was the pick of India’s bowlers, claiming two important wickets, including that of Farid Hasan Faysal, who had made a valuable 39 off 49 balls. Sharma also removed Zawad Abrar for 20. Hardik Raj added to the pressure from the other end, picking up two wickets, including that of Mohammad Rizan Hossan, who top-scored for Bangladesh with a gritty 47 off 65 balls.
KP Karthkeya played a crucial role in dismantling Bangladesh’s lower order, removing Debasish Sarkar Deba. Mohammad Shihab James fought valiantly for Bangladesh, scoring 40 runs off 67 balls, but his dismissal, caught by Andre Siddarth off Ayush Mhatre, marked the beginning of a collapse.
India’s fielding was sharp, with two excellent catches by Karthkeya and a run-out by Kiran Chormale, but Bangladesh’s total proved too much to chase down. Despite some spirited individual performances, India were unable to recover and ultimately fell short in the final.
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