ACC U19 Asia Cup 2024: Bangladesh U19 start title defense with win over Afghanistan U19 in Group B

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Bangladesh U19 began their ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2024 title defense with a hard-fought 45-run victory over Afghanistan U19 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh posted a competitive 228/9, anchored by a captain's knock from Azizul Hakim Tamin, who scored a resilient 103 off 133 balls. His 142-run partnership with Kalam Siddiqui Allen (60) laid a solid foundation before Afghanistan's bowlers, led by Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and Khatir Stanikzai, caused a collapse in the final overs.

Chasing 229, Afghanistan's top-order struggled against disciplined Bangladeshi seamers. Maruf Mridha struck early, dismissing Uzairullah Niazai for 8, while Al Fahad and Rafi Uzzaman kept the pressure on. Faisal Shinozada's fluent 52 off 54 balls kept Afghanistan's hopes alive, as he stitched a promising 44-run partnership with Naseer Khan (34). However, Bangladesh regained control after Shinozada's dismissal, with Iqbal Hossain and Al Fahad striking in quick succession.

Afghanistan's lower middle order, led by Barkatullah Ibrahimzai (19), attempted a fightback, but the task proved too steep. Mohammad Shihab's brilliant direct hit to dismiss Allah Ghazanfar for 1 sealed Afghanistan's innings at 183 in 47.5 overs.

For Bangladesh, the bowlers stood out, with Al Fahad (2/19) and Maruf Mridha leading a disciplined attack. The fielding unit complemented their efforts, with Shihab's crucial run-out being a match-defining moment.

Earlier in the game, Bangladesh's batting revolved around Tamin's century. The skipper played a composed knock, mixing aggression with caution, to steer his team out of early trouble after the loss of Zawad Abrar in the first over. Afghanistan's spinners, particularly Ghazanfar, kept the batters on their toes, drying up boundaries in the middle overs.

This victory gives Bangladesh a solid start to their campaign, showcasing their strength in both batting and bowling. Afghanistan, despite the loss, displayed glimpses of potential and will aim to bounce back in their next fixture. The result sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting tournament.