Akbar leads U19 to comfortable victory over Nepal in Asia Cup
CF Correspondent
Skipper Akbar Ali struck an unbeaten 98 to lead the side from the front as Bangladesh Under-19 team recorded their second straight victory in the ACC U19 Asia Cup, securing a six-wicket win over Nepal in Colombo on Sunday.
Nepal piled up a respectable 261-8 in 50-over allocation after being sent to bat first before Bangladesh reached the winning mark with four balls to spare.
Nepal opener Pawan Sarraf led the charge with 81 runs. Snadeep Jhora was the other notable scorer with 56 while another opener Rit Gautam chipped-in-with 32 runs.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Shahin Alam claimed two wickets apiece for Bangladesh U19.
In pursuit of 262-run, the young Tigers were precariously placed at 19-2, losing two openers Tanzid Hasan and Anik Sarker Shatu inside five overs.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Towhid Hridoy helped the side recover the shaky start, sharing 79-run for the third wicket stand before Joy was dismissed for 40.
Akbar then took the charge and saw Hriody departing for 60 off 88.
However the captain got support in Shamim Hossain and together they shared 130-run partnership for an unbroken fifth wicket stand to take the side home with four balls to spare.
Akabar smashed 14 fours in his 82 ball-98 runs knock while Shamim’s 42 off 45 was studded with four fours.
Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka on September 10, the match which will decide the group champions.
