Bangladesh experienced a heartbreaking five-run loss in their final ICC Under-19 World Cup Super Sixes encounter against Pakistan, leading to their departure from the tournament in Benoni today.
Despite restricting Pakistan to 155 in 40.4 overs, Bangladesh fell short in their chase, managing only 150 in 35.5 overs, thereby dashing their hopes of advancing to the semifinals. To secure a spot in the semifinals, Bangladesh needed to chase down the total within 38.1 overs, but Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby’s team agonizingly missed this target.
Both Pakistan and India advanced to the last four from Group 1 of the Super Sixes.
In the bowling department, Bangladesh’s Rohanat Doullah Borshon and off-spinner Shiekh Parvez Jibon claimed four wickets each to restrict Pakistan to a modest total.
Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas played a pivotal role with the bat, top-scoring with 34 off 40 balls, a contribution that proved decisive in hindsight.
Bangladesh’s batting struggled early against pacer Ubaid Shah, losing six wickets for 83 runs within the first 20 overs. Despite a resilient 40-run partnership between Mohammad Shihab James and captain Rabby, their efforts were in vain as Bangladesh lost crucial wickets.
The match took a decisive turn when Ubaid Shah dismissed James, and Rabby fell to pacer Ali Raza, who claimed three wickets. With the team at 124 for eight after 30.1 overs, the situation seemed dire.
Although Borshon showed resilience, scoring 21 off 24 balls and taking the score to 150, the dream of victory was shattered when the last batter, Maruf Mridha, fell to Mohammad Zeeshan’s delivery, crashing onto the stumps. This marked the end of Bangladesh’s aspirations in the tournament.
