Bangladesh shock South Africa
The hosts sniff
quarterfinal berth
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh made a giant stride towards the quarterfinal having thrashed defending champions South Africa by 43 runs in the ICC Under-19 World Cup opener yesterday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chitagong.
The hosts will take on ICC associates Scotland and Namibia, against whom they are outright favourtie to win at ease in the last two matches of its group phase. Even though they never sealed the semi-final spot of the Youth World Cup since its participation into the tournament in 1998, Bangladesh are considered hot favourtie along with India. Bangladesh never concedes any bilateral series at home and away since 2014 albeit their record in multination tournaments in this period was worst.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto, considered one of the brightest future prospects facilitated the victory, playing a sensible 73 runs knock. In his 82 balls knock, he sent the ball across the rope four times in addition of hitting three sixes. As his side seemed to have squandered a good start, Shanto brought back them in contention and steered Bangladesh to a challenging 240 for seven.
As it was speculated, Bangladesh caught the African nation in spin-web and bowled them out for 197 in 48.4 overs. Opener Liam Smith scored a brilliant century, dealing with the Bangladeshi spinners with utmost confidence but that tremendous effort went in vain.
The day however began disappointingly for the hosts. The South African bowlers delivered three maiden overs to impose a pressure on hosts as Bangladesh captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz opted to bat first after winning the toss. Pinak Ghosh broke the shackle and started hitting. His fellow opener Saif Hasan however was the first one to go after having an uncomfortable stay at the crease. He made just six with the scoreboard reading 30 for one.
Then there was a 44-run stand between Pinak and Joyraz Sheik and the hosts seemed to have gained the momentum. While Pinak settled him well, Joyraz went after the bowlers in aggressive way but the partnership ended with a suicidal run out as the pair tried to steal a cheeky single. Pinak ended up walking back to the dugout after scoring a well-made 43 that came off 51 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes.
Vice-captain Shanto then joined Joyraz in the middle, but the partnership did not last long as Joyraz was caught behind to Whitehead for 46, clobbering six fours and a six after he looked dangerous in the middle. The momentum suddenly shifted to the visitors who looked dominating on the ground at this phase.
Captain Mehidi Hasan alongside his deputy Shanto looked to settle down properly and build a stand. The played sensibly, without taking much risk and put up a 59-run stand before Mehedi walked off to a rather soft dismissal scoring 23 off 38.
Shanto was finally dismissed for 73 as he tried to scoop past the keeper off a yorker. 250 looked on the cards when he stayed, but he fell at a point when the scoring rate was pulled back yet again by the South African bowlers.
Given the nature of the wicket, it wasnt a hefty total but Bangladeshs spinners proved to be tougher for the South African youths. Spinners grabbed seven wickets with two off-spinners captain Miraz ( three for 37) and Saeed Sarkar (two for 39) and left arm spinner Saleh Ahmed Shaown (2 for 37) sharing those. Pacer Saifuddin took the rest of the three wickets conceding 30 runs.
Opener Liam Smith showed the character in a pitch in which he colleagues struggled much. He struck nine fours and one six in his 146 balls knock. Dayyaan Galiem made 22, the second highest to Smith.
Bangladesh will take on Scotland in its second match on January 31.
SCOREBOARD Bangladesh V SA
Bangladesh U-19s innings:
Saif c Verreynne b Mulder 6
Pinak run out 43
Joyraz c Verreynne b Whitehead 46
Nazmul b Mulder 73
Mehedi Hasan c Ludick b de Zorzi 23
Zakir b Mulder 19
Saeed c Moonsamy b Sipamla 4
M Saifuddin not out 17
Sanjit Saha not out 2
Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 5) 7
Total (7 wickets; 50 overs) 240
Did not bat: A Halim, Saleh.
Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-74, 3-103,
4-162, 5-207, 6-216, 7-234.
BOWLING O M R W
A Galiem 8 2 32 0
L Philander 4 1 20 0
P Mulder 9 0 42 3
L Sipamla 9 0 47 1
S Whitehead 10 0 44 1
W Ludick 3 0 19 0
T de Zorzi 7 0 34 1
South Africa U-19s innings:
L Smith c Mehedi b Saleh 100
K Verreynne c Saif b Mehedi 1
P Mulder b Saifuddin 8
T de Zorzi b Saifuddin 8
R Moonsamy lbw b Saeed 5
A Galiem b Saeed 22
F Sayanvala c Saifuddin b Mehedi 17
W Ludick c Saif b Saleh 5
L Philander lbw b Saifuddin 6
S Whitehead c Nazmul b Mehedi 13
L Sipamla not out 1
Extras (b 4, lb 3, w 4) 11
Total (all out; 48.4 overs) 197
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-27, 3-44, 4-60, 5-112, 6-160, 7-177, 8-178, 9-195, 10-197.
BOWLING O M R W
Mehedi 9.4 2 37 3
A Halim 4 0 17 0
M Saifuddin 7 0 30 3
Saeed Sarkar 10 0 39 2
Saleh Ahmed 10 0 37 2
Sanjit Saha 8 0 30 0
