Bangladesh scored a crushing seven-wicket victory over Nepal in the U-19s Asia Cup in Dubai on Monday. The comprehensive win took Bangladesh to the top of Group B with a healthy net run rate of 1.56.
The victory was set up by Md Sobuj whose three for 37 broke the Nepal’s backbone. Opener Zawad Abrar then slammed an unbeaten 70 to seal the victory with 151 balls to spare.
Asked to bat first, Nepal got off to a good start, thanks to a 40-run opening stand between Sahil Patel and Niraj Kumar Yadav. Opening bowler Saad Islam made the initial breakthrough, getting Patel for 18. Sobuj then took over and grabbed three wickets in quick succession.
First to fall was Niraj, who was caught behind, while Nischal Kshetri was bowled for a golden duck. Cibrin Shrestha was out caught and bowled as Nepal slipped from 60 for 2 to 61 for 5.
Aashish Luhar’s handy 23 and Abhisekh Tiwari’s 30 carried Nepal forward, but a second flurry of wickets ensured the rebuilding effort did not last for long. After a 38-run seventh wicket stand between Tiwari and Luhar, Azizul Hakim and Shahriar Ahmed made short work of the tail – Nepal went from 119 for 6 to 130 all out.
Abrar was the rock for Bangladesh
The only downside for Bangladesh was the 17 wides they conceded, which formed an extras tally of 23.
Abrar was the rock of the chase with his 68-ball unbeaten 70. This contained seven fours and three sixes. The only moments of concern in the innings came in the fourth over, when opener Rifat Beg was bowled for five. He was followed by captain Azizul Hakim who was run out for a single off the very next ball.
Abrar and Kalam Siddiki added 92 for 115 balls for the third wicket. By the time Siddiki fell, Bangladesh were ten runs away from victory. Rizan Hossan finished the game with a six.
Brief scores: Nepal 130 (Abhisekh Tiwari 30; Md Sobuj 3/27, Shahriar 2/10) lost to Bangladesh 135/3 (Zawad Abrar 70no, Kalam Siddiki 34; Khatri 1/18).
