The Under-19 Asia Cup semi-final clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh on Friday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium ended with a thrilling victory for Bangladesh, who knocked out Pakistan by securing a seven-wicket win. The win sent Bangladesh to the final of the prestigious tournament, where they chased down a modest target of 117 with ease, completing the task in just 22.1 overs.
Pakistan’s Batting Collapse: Early Struggles
Disastrous Start for Pakistan
Pakistan’s U-19 team, batting first after being put in by Bangladesh, had a rough start. They lost two early wickets within the first three overs of the innings. The opening batsmen, Usman Khan and Shahzaib Khan, both fell for ducks, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 0-2. This disastrous beginning put pressure on the middle order and made it difficult for Pakistan to recover from the early setbacks.
Riazullah and Baig Try to Stabilize
After the early collapse, Mohammad Riazullah and Saad Baig tried to steady the innings with a crucial partnership of 42 runs for the third wicket. Riazullah, despite his slow progress, managed to score 28 runs off 65 balls, including two boundaries. Baig, the captain, contributed 18 runs off 41 balls, with three boundaries. Their partnership gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope, but they couldn’t carry it forward as both were dismissed by Iqbal Hossain Emon.
Farhan Yousaf’s Counter-Attack
Farhan Yousaf, coming in at 74-5, provided some relief to Pakistan with a counter-attacking knock. He smashed three sixes and one four in his quick-fire 32 runs off 32 balls. His efforts brought Pakistan’s score to 113-7 in the 34th over, but his dismissal ended Pakistan’s resistance. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Iqbal, kept up the pressure, and Pakistan’s innings eventually ended for just 116 runs in 37 overs.
Iqbal Hossain Emon’s Dominance with the Ball
A Match-Winning Performance
Iqbal Hossain Emon was undoubtedly the standout performer of the match, not just with the bat but with the ball as well. He took a remarkable 4 wickets for just 24 runs in his 9 overs, delivering an outstanding spell of bowling that restricted Pakistan’s batting lineup. His superb performance ensured that Pakistan’s batting never gained momentum, and his key wickets helped Bangladesh restrict them to a paltry total.
Supporting Efforts from Maruf Mridha and Others
Maruf Mridha also played a key role in Pakistan’s downfall with the ball. The left-arm pacer picked up 2 wickets for 23 runs in his 7 overs. His early breakthroughs, including the dismissals of Usman Khan and Shahzaib Khan, set the tone for the rest of the innings. Al Fahad and Debasish Deba also contributed with a wicket each, as Pakistan’s batting was dismantled with ease.
Bangladesh’s Smooth Chase: Azizul Hakim Shines
A Solid Start for Bangladesh
Chasing a target of 117 runs, Bangladesh started their innings with determination and focus. The openers, led by Azizul Hakim, put together a solid foundation. Hakim, in particular, was in sublime form, playing an unbeaten knock of 61 runs from 42 balls. His innings included 7 fours and 3 sixes, as he took the game away from Pakistan with his aggressive stroke play.
Mohammad Shihab James Provides Support
Alongside Hakim, Mohammad Shihab James contributed a valuable 26 runs off 36 balls. His innings helped maintain the required run rate and provided good support to Hakim in the chase. Shihab James struck four boundaries during his stay at the crease, ensuring Bangladesh’s progress towards the target.
Pakistan’s Efforts Fall Short
Despite some tight bowling from Pakistan’s Naveed Ahmed Khan, Abdul Subhan, and Ali Raza, they couldn’t prevent Bangladesh from completing the chase. Naveed Ahmed Khan took the only wicket for Pakistan in the second innings, dismissing one Bangladesh batter for 13 runs, but it was too little too late as Bangladesh reached 120-3 in 22.1 overs.
Match Summary: Bangladesh’s Comprehensive Victory
In the end, Bangladesh emerged victorious with a dominant seven-wicket win. They chased down Pakistan’s total with more than seven overs to spare, a testament to their balanced performance with both bat and ball.
Scores in Brief:
- Pakistan U-19: 116 all out in 37 overs (Farhan Yousaf 32, Mohammad Riazullah 28; Iqbal Hossain Emon 4-24, Maruf Mridha 2-23)
- Bangladesh U-19: 120-3 in 22.1 overs (Azizul Hakim 61* not out, Mohammad Shihab James 26; Naveed Ahmed Khan 1-13)
FAQs
1. Who was the player of the match in this U-19 Asia Cup semi-final?
Iqbal Hossain Emon was awarded the player of the match for his exceptional all-round performance, taking 4 wickets for 24 runs and contributing to Bangladesh’s successful chase with a steady knock.
2. How many overs did Bangladesh take to chase down the target?
Bangladesh chased down the target of 117 runs in just 22.1 overs, securing a seven-wicket victory.
3. What was the key factor in Pakistan’s defeat?
Pakistan’s defeat was primarily due to their early batting collapse, which saw them lose quick wickets. The inability of the middle order to build partnerships and Iqbal Hossain Emon’s match-winning spell were the key factors in their defeat.
4. Who were the top performers for Pakistan in the match?
Farhan Yousaf was the top scorer for Pakistan with 32 runs off 32 balls. Mohammad Riazullah also contributed 28 runs off 65 balls. However, their efforts were not enough to save the team.
5. What is the next match for Bangladesh after this victory?
Bangladesh will now face the winner of the other semi-final in the final of the U-19 Asia Cup.
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