Bangladesh Youths Top Group After Beating Sri Lanka, Set to Face Pakistan in Semifinal

The team had already secured its objective, yet the intensity of competition never faded. By defeating Sri Lanka in the final group-stage match, Bangladesh Under-19 not only claimed victory but also marched into the semifinals as group champions with renewed confidence.

In Wednesday’s match at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, Bangladesh Under-19 defeated Sri Lanka Under-19 by 39 runs. After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the young Tigers were bowled out for 225 runs before completing their full quota of overs. In reply, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 186.

Sri Lanka came under pressure from the very start of the chase. Losing wickets at regular intervals, four of their batters returned to the pavilion before the team reached fifty. Later, innings of 41 from Chamika Hinatigala and 39 from Adam Hilmi offered some resistance, but they could not bridge the gap in the end.

Bangladesh’s bowling attack was led by Iqbal Hossain Imon and Shahriya Ahmed, who claimed three wickets each. They were well supported by Samiun Bashir Ratul, who picked up two wickets.

With the bat, Bangladesh made a promising start. Once again, Jawad Abrar caught the eye with an aggressive approach. He narrowly missed out on a half-century, scoring 49 off 36 balls, an innings that included four fours and four sixes. Fellow opener Rifat Beg contributed 36 runs from 48 balls. In the middle order, Azizul Hakim Tamim scored 29, while Kalam Siddiqui Elin added 32, but the total could not be stretched much further.

For Sri Lanka, Kavija Gamage was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with four wickets for 38 runs. Rosith Nimsara and Biren Chamuditha took two wickets apiece.

With this win, Bangladesh topped Group B by winning all three of their matches. India, meanwhile, finished as group champions in the other group by winning all of their fixtures. Pakistan, with two victories, ended as runners-up and have been confirmed as Bangladesh’s opponents in the semifinal.

Bangladesh Under-19 will face Pakistan in the semifinal on Friday at the Dubai Sevens Stadium, carrying hopes of reaching the final after an impressive group-stage campaign.