Under-19 Asia Cup 2023

Highlights: Bangladesh end India’s U19 Asia Cup dominance with semi-final upset

by Wisden Staff December 15, 2023 - 1:40pm 3 minute read

Highlights: Bangladesh trumped India by four wickets in a tense U19 Asia Cup semi-final, setting up a meeting with surprise finalists UAE on Sunday.

The result is a dent in India’s proud U19 Asia Cup record. They have won all but one of the nine editions of the tournament since its inception in 1989, including a shared triumph with Pakistan in 2012.

India had already had one defeat in the competition, with Pakistan cruising to an eight-wicket win in their group game. That set up a clash against Bangladesh, who won three out of three in their group, and the Tigers started confidently, reducing India to 61-6 inside 16 overs. Maruf Mridha started the wreckage, taking the first three wickets to fall in his opening spell.

Half-centuries from Musheer Khan and Murugan Abhishek helped India rebuild, and at 145-6, they had hopes of putting up a defendable total. However, a second collapse saw India bundled out for 188. Mridha finished with figures of 4-41 and claimed the Player of the Match award.

India made early inroads in reply before a late surge, but century stand for the fourth wicket took the game away. Raj Limbani, who had claimed seven wickets in India’s previous game against Nepal, struck in the first over, bowling Jishan Alam for a golden duck. Ashiqur Rahman Shibli, Alam’s opening partner, dug in, but was run out in the last over of the powerplay for a 22-ball seven to leave Bangladesh struggling on 35-3.

Ariful Islam and Ahrar Amin then supplied a pair of contrasting hands to put Bangladesh back on top. Islam notched nine fours and four sixes in his 94, coming at a rate in excess of a run a ball. Amin faced 11 more balls but scored 50 runs fewer, with his role just as crucial in ensuring his side stayed on track.

How important their resistance was became clear when India hit back towards the end, a flurry of late wickets coming with Bangladesh in sight of the finish line. Islam became Limbani’s second victim with 17 runs still needed, before Mohammad Shihab James and Alam fell with the runs required in single figures. Captain Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (c) and Sheikh Paevez Jibon saw their side home without any further alarm.