Bangladesh U-19s fall to semifinal defeat against Pakistan

Bangladesh U-19s fell to a eight-wicket loss against Pakistan U-19s in the semifinal of the U-19 Asia Cup at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai on Saturday. Bangladesh went to the tournament as the defending champions, having won the past two titles and the young guns entered the semis having secured top spot in Group B.

Pakistan chased down a 122-run target in 16.3 overs with eight wickets to spare after bowling out Bangladesh for 121 in 26.3 in the rain-curtailed 27-over affair.

Rain had halted start of the game on Friday and only a 27-over curtailed game was possible. Sent to bat, none of the Bangladesh batters however got going in the crucial semifinal game. Rifat Beg and skipper Azizul Hakim produced scores of 14 and 20 respectively while Samiun Bashir top-scored with a 37-ball 33.

Bangladesh lost early wickets but then the middle-order was rattled by medium pacer Abdul Subhan, who picked up three wickets in the space of 13 deliveries. Abdul finished with 4 for 20 in 6 overs.

Iqbal Hossain Emon struck early, picking up the wicket of Hamza Zahoor for a duck. Opener Sameer Minhas blazed a 57-ball unbeaten 69 as Pakistan finished the chase in 16.3 overs. Pakistan would face India in the final of the tournament on Sunday.