Iqbal Hossain Emon and Azizul Hakim delivered sensational bowling performances, claiming three wickets each, as Bangladesh defeated India by 59 runs to secure the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 title at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh was bowled out for 198 in the final over, a modest total built on key contributions from the middle order. The innings got off to a shaky start with opener Kalam Siddiki falling for just 1 in the seventh over, leaving Bangladesh at 17/1.
Skipper Azizul Hakim and opener Zawad Abrar tried to stabilize the innings, taking the score to 41/1 in 10 overs. However, Abrar’s cautious 20 off 35 balls ended on the first delivery of the 11th over, followed by Hakim’s dismissal for 16 off 28 balls in the 19th over.
At 66/3 in 18.4 overs, Bangladesh looked vulnerable, but a critical 62-run partnership between Mohammad Shihab James (40 off 67) and Rizan Hossan (47 off 65) provided much-needed stability.
Late contributions from Farid Hasan (39) ensured Bangladesh posted a competitive total.
For India, the bowlers shared the workload. Hardik Raj, Yudhajit Guha, and Chetan Sharma claimed two wickets each. Kiran Chormale, KP Karthikeya, and Ayush Mhatre chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 199, India’s batting lineup collapsed, just like Pakistan in the semi-final, for just 139 in 35.2 overs, courtesy of fiery spells by Emon and Hakim.
The clinical performance by the Bangladeshi bowlers ensured their second consecutive ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup triumph, reaffirming their dominance in youth cricket.
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