With a four-wicket victory over India, Ariful Islam’s counterpunching fifty and left-arm bowler Maruf Mridha’s blistering performance enabled Bangladesh to advance to the Under-19 Asia Cup final in Dubai on Friday.
Indian hitters found it difficult to get going on a surface that was a little bit two-paced. They were eventually bowled out for 188 in 42.4 overs, with the majority of the runs coming from Musheer Khan (50) and Murugan Abhishek (62).
Bangladesh crossed the boundary with relative ease in 42.5 overs, despite some nervousness, as Islam (94 off 90 balls) put up a strong effort to stave off the Indian attack.
Nevertheless, Maruf’s outstanding opening spell was what really launched India’s bad day. He scored four out of forty-one. In just seven overs, the pacer reduced India to 13 for 3, showing some bounce and swing up front. Arshin Kulkarni, Uday Saharan, and opener Adarsh Singh returned without much trouble to the scores.
However, Musheer and Abhishek pulled India from a dangerous 61 for 6 with an 84-run partnership for the seventh wicket. They batted very easily, and Musheer hit a single to long off to get his fifty off 59 balls. Abhishek reached his fifty in sixty-four balls as he blasted Sheikh Jibon for a massive six over long off.
But India collapsed to a low total as both batters left the field without adding to their total.
Bangladesh, in response, too got off to a poor start and were 34 for 3 in 9.4 overs. But Ahrar Amin (44 off 101 balls) proved to be an able ally for Ariful, as the pair milked 138 runs for a resolute fourth-wicket stand that pinned India back.
At first, Ariful was a little cautious, but as he figured out his range, the right-hander played some delicious drives all over the park to keep Indian bowlers at bay for an extended period of time. Even though Bangladesh lost a few more wickets in the closing stages, the enthusiasm was fabricated.
UAE upset heavily favored Pakistan by 11 runs in the first semifinal to set up a final meeting with Bangladesh. Aryansh Sharma, the opener, scored 46 off 70 balls, and captain Aayan Afzal Khan struck 55 off 57 balls to help the UAE reach 193 all out. With three balls remaining, they bowled Pakistan out at 182 all out after mounting a fierce defense of the score.
