ICC Under 19 World Cup 2016
Bangladesh Vs South Africa Played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong

Bangladesh Under 19: 240/7 (Nazmul Hossain Shanto 73, Joyraj Sheikh 46, Pinak Ghosh 43, Wiaan Mulder 3/42) beat South Africa 197 All Out (L Smith 100, Mohammad Saifuddin 3/30, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 3/37) by 43 Runs

Player of the Match: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh)

DHAKA: Fancied host Bangladesh outsmarted reigning champions South Africa in the first match of ICC Under 19 World Cup 2016 launching its mission world cup at ZAC stadium Chittagong. Tiger teens playing all round aggressive cricket won by 43 runs.

On the early winter morning there were early swing and wicket was seaming a bit. Teenager Bangladeshi batsmen batting first had early big moment nerves. But once they got over top order batsmen showed class and quality that has made young Bengal tigers the dark horse of the tournament. Pinak, Joyraj and specially Nazmul looked superb in power batting as Bangladesh put up a challenging score of 240/7 in the allotted overs.

There were few thoughts that the score was 20 runs short. But brilliant all-round bowling and smart athletic fielding ultimately proved the target well beyond the protean juniors. Excepting Smith none could withstand the relentless cubs.

The reigning champions could go as far as 197-run. Tiger teens made a winning start outsmarting the visitors by 43 runs. They are now favorably placed in the group as they have to play against lesser teams Namibia and Scotland.

Bangladeshi youngsters in recent times were in winning cycle. They prevailed over Sri Lanka, South Africa (at home and away) and Zimbabwe. They very comfortably won the two warm up matches. The well drilled team of great potential looked supremely confident.

Excepting the first few overs while batting showing early big moment nerves of a huge occasion they were shinning all the way. Pinak, Joyraj and Nazmul batted with gay abandon. Their batting stamped class against high quality protean bowling. The score could be at least 25-30 more had not been the youthful exuberance took the better of Pinak and Joyraj after they settled to stroke near half centuries.

Pinak was brilliantly run out after scoring 43 off 51 deliveries. Joyraj had a soft dismissal at his score of 46 off 50. Both played quality strokes. Vice-captain Nazmul played a matured innings of 73-run which comprised of three blistering over boundaries and four glorious strokes across the turf.

Captain Mehidy (23) and Zakir (19) also produced brief cameos. South African bowling had class and quality. Pacer Mulder (mate of Rabada) bowled fast and furious. Quality Bangladesh batsmen negotiated him admirably though he picked 3/42. Sharp fielding of South Africans also helped restrict Bangladesh to a manageable score of 240/7. At innings break there were thoughts Young tigers might be 20 runs short.

But confident tigers showed the way by captain Mehidy gave nothing away. He struck early blow removing opener Verreynne in the third over. Miraz kept on shuffling his quality bowling attack very smartly. South African wickets kept tumbling. Mulder, Zorzi and Moonsamy failed to reach double figures.

Combination of accurate pace of Saifuddin (3/30) and spin bowling of Saeed (2/39), Shawon (2/37) and Miraz (3/37) foxed the visitors. Only opener Smith played in the sand. His 100 let a few butterfly flying in the stomach of tiger fans. He was given a few reprieves as well. But the young protean deserved a great credit for putting his best. It is for his wonderful fighting innings studded with nine fours and a six South Africa could go nearer to Bangladesh score. He scored more than 50 percent of the team score. The next highest score was merely 22 by Galem.

Very accurate Bangladesh bowling put a leash on protean batting. Once they were reduced to 4/60 by the 21st over tigers were on course.

It was great seeing tigers never panicked. It was a brilliant win by 43 runs. Beating the reigning champions in the very first match and the winning start has created momentum.

They have still some areas to iron out as they go deeper into the tournament. Teams from the sub-continent India and Pakistan specially will bat much better against spin. England also looked great against weak Fiji. But in any case teen tigers proved themselves as a potential for a contender for top honour.

BDST: 0846 HRS, JAN 28, 2016
SR

** Bangladesh beat S Africa by 43-run
** Bangladesh set South Africa target 241