Bangladesh Under-19s will face Pakistan in the first semifinal of the ongoing U19 Asia Cup on Friday after topping Group B with an unbeaten record, reports the Daily Sun.
The match will be played at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, with the first ball scheduled for 11:00am Bangladesh Standard Time. In the other semifinal, Group A toppers India will take on Sri Lanka at the ICC Academy Ground, also in Dubai.
The Young Tigers have enjoyed an impressive run in the tournament so far. They opened their campaign with a thrilling three-wicket victory over Afghanistan while chasing a challenging target of 284, before registering a comfortable seven-wicket win against Nepal. Bangladesh then sealed the top spot in the group by defeating Sri Lanka by 39 runs in their final group-stage match.
Opener and vice-captain Zawad Abrar has been the standout performer with the bat, showing remarkable consistency across all three matches. He has amassed 215 runs at an average of 107.50 and a strike rate of 99.53, scoring 96 off 112 balls against Afghanistan, an unbeaten 70 off 68 against Nepal and 49 off 36 against Sri Lanka. Rifat Beg, who struck 103, and Kalam Siddiki, with 95, have also made valuable contributions in the batting department throughout the tournament.
Bangladesh’s bowling attack has been equally effective. Slow left-arm spinner Shahriar Ahmed has led the way with seven wickets, claiming two each against Afghanistan and Nepal before taking three against Sri Lanka. Right-arm pacer Iqbal Hossain Emon has also impressed, picking up two wickets against Afghanistan and three crucial scalps against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan, meanwhile, began their campaign in emphatic fashion with a massive 297-run victory over Malaysia. However, their momentum was halted in the second match as they suffered a 90-run defeat against India. The young Pakistan side bounced back strongly in their final group match, registering a 70-run win over the United Arab Emirates to book their place in the semifinals.
Right-handed batter Sameer Minhas has been Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the tournament with 230 runs, highlighted by an unbeaten 177 against Malaysia. Left-handed batter Ahmed Hussain has also been in fine form, accumulating 201 runs, including a commanding 132 against Malaysia.
With the ball, Pakistan will rely heavily on right-arm medium-fast bowler Abdul Subhan and left-arm medium pacer Mohammad Sayyam, both of whom have taken seven wickets each so far in the competition.
The final of the U19 Asia Cup is scheduled to be held at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on 21 December.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
