Under 19 Asia Cup Championship 2024
Bangladesh Under 19 198 all Out (Rizan Hossain 47, Farid Hasan 39, Zawad Abrar 20, Yudhajit Guha 2/29, Hardik Raj 2/41, Chetan Sharma 2/48)
India 139 All Out in 35.2 Overs (Mohammad Aman 26, Hardik Raj 24, Karthikeya 21, Shidharth 20, Azizul Hakim 3/8, Iqbal Hossain Emon 3/34)
Bangladesh won by 59 Runs
Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament: Iqbal Hossain Emon
Outplaying archrival India Bangladesh successfully retained the Under 19 Asai Cup Championship with a massive 59 runs victory yesterday at UAE.
Batting first on a difficult wicket Bangladesh battling against aggressive Indian bowling put together a challenging 198 all out. Given the state of the wicket and all-round strength of Bangladesh bowling and smart fielding that target proved enough. The best of India could reach 139 all out in 35.2 overs.
Winning by 59 runs Bangladeshi teenagers made Bangladeshis proud again retaining successfully the title. The success of Bangladeshi youth proved yet again that there is no dearth of cricket talent at grass root. Appropriate plan and proper nourishing are now essential for turning these champions as competent cricketers for representing Bangladesh at national level.
Defending Champion playing wonder brand of smart cricket outshone their formidable opponents Pakistan and India in the tournament. The superiority of Bangladeshi teenagers in all departments of the game was never in doubt. Staring the group stage with a thumping victory against emerging Afghanistan Bangladesh cruised across Nepal comfortably. But Bangladesh mission got a little reverse losing narrowly against Sri Lanka. But that wake-up call proved so useful for the young tigers that they blew away strong Pakistani boys in the semifinal.
India’s mission started disastrously losing big against traditional foe Pakistan in their first match. But they roared back smashing the rest of the opposition playing aggressive cricket. In the final their smart bowling on a difficult wicket restricted Bangladesh to a manageable score of 198. The top three of Bangladesh unit Kalam Siddiki, Jawad Abrar and Abul Hakim were consumed early. But determined Rizan (47), Shihab James (40) Farid Hasan (39) held the fort setting up a competitive score. Never say die Bangladesh boys bowling to the best of their ability exploited the wicket.
The best of India could not go beyond 139 as Bangladesh boys kept bowling tight and fielded like wounded tigers. Free stroking Indian batsmen got no liberty at all. Aman scored 26, Hardik Raj 24, Karthikeya 21 and Shidharth 20. For Bangladesh reliable Iqbal Emon took 3/34 and surprisingly captain cool Abdul Hakin Tamim also grabbed 3 for 8 runs.
Bangladeshi teenagers specially Under 19 regularly win laurels. They now have won the world Cup, Asia Cup twice. Wonder why these boys can not grow as world cup winning unit? Their competitors from India, Sri Lanka shine at world lost. But brilliant Bangladeshi teenagers are lost in the oblivion. We hope that these boys, apart from being given receptions and rewards will be given the required attention and care.
Heartiest congratulations to the brave boys for their wonderful achievement.
BDST: 1237 HRS, DEC 09, 2024
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