Iqbal Hossain Emon and Azizul Hakim each claimed three wickets, leading Bangladesh to a commanding 59-run win over India to retain their U-19 Asia Cup title in Dubai.
Bangladesh defended a modest total of 198, bowling India out for 139 in just 35.2 overs. It capped a dismal Sunday for Indian cricket, with the men’s Test team and women’s ODI side also suffering heavy losses.
Opting to bowl first, India made an early breakthrough when pacer Yudhajit Guha dismissed Kalam Siddiki for 1. Zawad Abrar briefly counterattacked with two fours and a six in his 20 before falling to Chetan Sharma. Guha struck again, removing captain Azizul Hakim as Bangladesh slumped to 66 for 3 in the 19th over.
Mohammad Shihab James (40) and Rizan Hossan (47) rebuilt with a 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but quick dismissals derailed their momentum. Ayush Mhatre removed James, and KP Karthikeya dismissed Debasish Deba soon after. Raj bowled Hossan, and further wickets tumbled as Bangladesh fell from 128 for 3 to 167 for 8.
A late 30-run partnership between Farid Hasan and Maruf Mridha pushed the total to 198 before Bangladesh were bowled out in the final over.
India’s chase never gained traction. Fahad dismissed Ayush Mhatre in the second over, and 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi departed in the fifth after a brief cameo. When Rizan Hossan claimed his first wicket, India was reeling at 44 for 3 in the 12th over.
Captain Mohamed Amaan and Karthikeya steadied briefly with a 29-run stand, but Emon’s bowling sparked a collapse. Emon dismissed Karthikeya and Nikhil Kumar in the same over before removing Harvansh Pangalia shortly after, leaving India at 81 for 6.
Fahad added to India’s woes, dismissing Kiran Chormale, while Hakim claimed the crucial wicket of Amaan in the 32nd over. Hakim then wrapped up the innings, securing the final three wickets to trigger celebrations in the Bangladesh camp.
Scorecard
- Bangladesh U-19: 198 (Hossan 47, James 40; Guha 2-29, Raj 2-41)
- India U-19: 139 (Amaan 26, Raj 24; Hakim 3-8, Emon 3-24)
Bangladesh won by 59 runs.
