Bangladesh bow out of U-19 Asia Cup with nine-wicket semi-final loss to Pakistan
The Bangladesh team had left home with big dreams to play the Under-19 Asia Cup. But the junior Tigers could not cross the semi-final hurdle, losing heavily to Pakistan by nine wickets in the semi-final.
Batting first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 138 runs in 31.4 overs, setting Pakistan a target of 139 runs to win.
Chasing 139, Pakistan got a superb start as both openers, Haim Khan and Usman Khan, scored half-centuries.
Rabiul Anik broke the opening stand by dismissing Haim Khan for 69 runs. But that was the Tiger bowlers' only success in the match, as Bangladesh could take no further wickets.
Pakistan therefore reached the winning target easily. Like the batters, the Tiger bowlers could offer no contest, according to the match account.
Earlier, after winning the toss and batting first, Bangladesh began losing wickets from the start. Zarif Siam and Kausar Ahmed failed, with Al Muhi the lone exception as he reached a fifty.
With wickets falling regularly at the other end, Bangladesh were in trouble after losing five wickets before reaching 100 runs.
Ahsan Munim, the centurion of the previous match, and captain Farid Hasan Faisal could not score. The batting failure left Bangladesh all out for 138 and out of the tournament at the semi-final stage.
