Bangladesh U-19s lose Afghan series

Batting remains the biggest concern for the Bangladesh Under-19 team as Saif Hasan and his troops to failed with the bat and subsequently were defeated in their fifth and final youth ODI against the Afghanistan Under-19 team, this time by 33 runs, to lose the five-match series 3-1 at the Sylhet International Cricket stadium yesterday.

The home side were bundled out on 206 in 48.2 overs in chase of the modest target Afghanistan posted at 239 for 6 after 50 overs.

Towhid Hridly was the only Bangladesh batsman that showed some fight as he scored 93 off 108 balls featuring 10 fours and 2 sixes while the others failed to provide any support.

Saif's 28 was the second highest score for Bangladesh who carried their disappointing form with the bat throughout the series.

Wafadar Momand was the pick of the Afghan bowlers, bagging four wickets while Qais Ahmad picked up three and Mujeeb ur Rahman took two to successfully defend the target and clinch the third consecutive win for the visitors.

Bangladesh did make a good start with the ball after Afghanistan, opting to bat first, struggled on 115 for 5 in 36 overs, where opener Ibrahim Zadran scored 83 off 107 balls with eight fours and two sixes before being dismissed.

Darwaish Abdul Rasool then smashed a blistering 47 ball 75 run knock featuring eight sixes and a four while Qais added 28 off just 11 deliveries as the visitors tallied 124 runs from the last 14 overs of the innings.

Nayeem Hasan got two wickets while Hasan Mahmud, Afif Hossain and Saif took one apiece for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh comprehensively won the first youth ODI by 145 runs but since then, the home side lost their way and went on to lose the remaining three games after the second match was abandoned due to inclement weather.

It was a big reality check for the young Tigers ahead of next year's ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, in preparation for which the selectors will definitely emphasise on the batting department which has been below par throughout the Afghanistan series.