Magical Bangladesh lifts maiden ICC U19 World Cup trophy

SPORTS DESK: A rampant Bangladesh came all guns blazing to edge mighty India past by three wickets through D/L method in the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup to lift the coveted trophy for the first time at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Sunday.

Skipper Akbar led the charge with a serene but heroic 43 not out under tremendous pressure as Bangladesh youths recovered from a precarious 102-6 to reach the winning mark (170-7 in 42.1 overs) after bowling out India for 177 in 47.2 overs.

Bangladesh was set 170 for victory in 46 overs as per D/L method after rain stopped the game for some 10 minutes.

This was the first time that they played the final of the World Cup but made it remarkable by beating the four-time champions India, a team who earlier beat them in two finals in tri-nation tournament in England and Asia Cup.

But on the day when it mattered most, Bangladesh immaculately held their nerve to deny the Indians for the most prized trophy.

As the things went out of control after India reduced Bangladesh to 102-6, Akbar got a courageous Parvez Hossain Emon to his company. Emon who suffered an injury and retried hurt on 25 came back at this phase and played through enormous injury for a second fiddle to his captain.

They shared a crucial 37-run for the seventh wicket stand to take Bangladesh on the verge of the victory. Emon was finally dismissed for 47, leaving Bangladesh 35 runs away to the victory.

But Akbar refused to give up as he dealt the Indian bowlers in astute fashion and at the same time held his nerve impeccably to help the side sail the home. He got Rakibul Hasan to his company, who resisted Indian bowlers showing a steely resolve to make a precious 9 not out off 25.

Bangladesh however got off to a fluent start as Tanzid Hasan Tamim (17) and Parvez Hossain Emon combined for a 50-run, indicating to make it a one-way traffic.

As things looked easier for Bangladesh, Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi brought them down to the earth, making Bangladesh four down for 65 from 50 for no loss.

Shushant Mishra then joined the party and dealt a double strike, dismissing Shamim Hossain and Avishek Das, forcing Emon to take the guard again. But his bold decision to come to the ground paid rich dividends.

Drama unfolded when rain interrupted the proceedings of the game with Bangladesh at 163-7 in 41 overs.

However Bangladesh was ahead of D/L calculation but needed not the mercy of rain to clinch the trophy. As rain stopped, Bangladesh got a revised target of victory for 170, which meant that they needed 7 for 5 overs. Akbar Ali defied further scare to proudly lead the side to the victory. He struck six fours and one six in his 77 ball-43 not out.

Bishnoi ended with 4-30 while Mishra had figures of 2-19.

Bangladesh Under-19 bowlers came up with ruthless bowling performance earlier to restrict mighty India to paltry total after Akbar Ali opted to bowl first in a slow-paced wicket.

Despite a huge resistance from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Bangladesh held their nerve and wrecked havoc on India batting that saw them claiming last seven wickets for just 21 runs.

Bangladesh’s three-pronged pacer shared seven wickets among them to make the most damage to Indian batting line up and backed up well by some electrifying fielding from the fielders.

Avishek Das led the way in bowling with 3-40 in nine overs, which was complemented by two wickets apiece by Shoriful Islam and Tanzim Hasan Shakib. Left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan took 1-29 in a measly bowling effort.

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal battled lonely for the side and made a fabulous 88 off 121, hitting 11 fours and one six. Tilak Verma was the other notable contributor with 38.

When Bangladeshi new ball bowler Shoriful and Tanzim Hasan moved the ball admirably, Jaiswal who struck a century in the semifinal game against Pakistan, resisted them with utmost confidence.

However their tight bowling enabled India to make just 23 runs in the first 10 overs for one wicket. But as the time progresses, Jaiswal became more threatening. Shoriful came back in the second spell to claim the big wicket of Jaiswal to spark a sensational collapse that saw India losing seven wickets for only 21 runs, which became the eventual difference at the end.