Young Tigers thrash India U-19 B to win triangular series

Bangladesh Under-19 national cricket team thrashed India U-19 B team by 181 runs in the final of the U-19 triangular series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday to become the unbeaten champions of the tournament.

In a rain-affected match, Bangladesh U-19 put up 234-10 onboard batting first, courtesy of an innings of 93 from Aich Mollah.

In reply, India U-19 B were bowled out for just 53 as the young Bangladesh bowlers wreaked havoc through their batting lineup.

Due to rain, the match came down to 42 overs, and India U-19 B skipper Aneeshwar Gautam opted to field first after winning the toss.

Bangladesh lost opener Mahfijul Islam in the first over, but a 40-run stand between Iftakhar Hossain and Prantik Nawrose Nabil steadied the ship for them. A middle-order collapse saw Bangladesh reduced to 115-7 at one point, but a 94-run stand between Aich and MD Ashiqur Zaman made sure Bangladesh had a good total on board. Aich’s knock of 93 runs came from 91 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes. Ashiqur scored 50 off 58 deliveries, where he hit five fours and two sixes.

In reply, India U-19 B never stood a chance as they lost wickets in a heap from the very start of their innings. None of their top four could reach double figures, and they were 15-4 at one point.

After a brief 33-run stand between Uday Saharan and Kaushal S Tambe, India U-19 B fell apart like a house of cards as they lost six wickets for five runs and got bowled out for just 53.

Noyon was the main protagonist for Bangladesh with the ball in hand as he picked up four wickets. S M Meherob Hasan and Ashiqur picked up a couple each, with Tanzim Hasan Sakib picking up one.

Bangladesh Cricket Board Director Khaled Mahmud later told the media in Dhaka that this was important to build their confidence.

“This is a very good success. We have the Asia Cup and World Cup ahead of us, but we needed this to increase our confidence. We have trained less or played fewer matches this year but beating two Indian U-19 teams on their soil is great for confidence,” Mahmud said.