U19 Asia Cup 2018: 1st Semi-Final, India vs Bangladesh, Review- India hand hosts elimination in a thriller at Mirpur

The first semi-final of the U19 Asia Cup between India and Bangladesh at Shee-E-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur turned out to be a thriller. The match was a roller coaster ride for both the teams and in the end, Prabh Simran Singh’s men won by two runs and progressed to the final of the event. In the meantime, the home team bowed out of the multi-nation tournament.

India crumble at an alarming rate

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, India lost Devdut Padikkal early, but Yashasvi Jaiswal and Anuj Rawat steadied the ship with a stand of 66 runs, which was broken by Towhid Hridoy, the Bangladeshi captain. Prabh Simran Singh faltered and became Rishd Hossain’s first victim. More importantly, the Colts slumped from 69/1 in 77/5 in a space of nearly four overs.

However, Ayush Badoni and Sameer Choudhary’s 59-run partnership bailed India out. Unfortunately, both perished in quick succession to Minhazur Rahman and Shoriful Islam. The tailenders couldn’t contribute much and India eventually folded for a mere 172 runs in the final over. Shoriful was the Tigers’ most successful bowler with three wickets in his quota of 10 overs.

Shamim and Akbar couldn’t rescue Bangladesh  

The run-chase didn’t start on an auspicious note for Bangladesh as Mohit Jangra got rid of Sajid Hossain and his fellow opener Prantik Nawroz Nabil with 21 on the board. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and skipper Hridoy couldn’t make much of an impact either. Rishad Hossain was cleaned up by left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai. Thereafter, Shamim Hossain and Akbar Ali took charge.

Both cobbled together a stand of 74 runs to reduce Bangladesh’s target down to 33 runs with nearly 15 overs remaining. Ali threatened with some big shots and his knock was cut short by Harsh Tyagi. The left-arm spinner delivered the body blow with the wicket of Shamim with the Tigers needing 12 runs to win. The lower-order couldn’t hold their nerves and the hosts were bowled out for 170.

Brief Scores

India: 172 all out in 49.3 overs; (Sameer Choudhary 36, Yashasvi Jaiswal 37; Shoriful Islam 3/16, Towhid Hridoy 2/4)

Bangladesh: 170 all out in 46.2 overs; (Shamim Hossain 59, Akbar Ali 45; Mohit Jangra 3/25, Siddharth Desai 3/35)

India beat Bangladesh by two runs

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