Bangladesh redeemed their place in cricket history by winning the U19 Asia Cup title Sunday, despite losing against India. After chasing down a low total of 198, the Bangladeshi batsmen worked hard and persevered to bowl India out for 139 in a 59-run win at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. It makes them champions again for the second time in succession and cements their reign as youth cricket champions.
The game was close and the momentum shifted a lot, but it was a fantastic collective effort by Bangladesh’s bowlers which put the game in their favor. The encounter also sported added drama due to these two sides’ recent history with the blistering U19 World Cup final clash of 2020 still fresh in the minds.
For Bangladesh, the fight began when their batting lineups were churning out a pitch. In reply, India sent them to bat, but the Bangladeshi openers were hampered early by Zawad Abrar (20) and Kalam Siddiki Aleen (1) on the powerplay. Mohammad Shibab James (40) and Rizan Hossain (47) formed a stabilising double, adding 62 runs each and laying the groundwork for a respectable haul.
As the innings seemed to be taking off, India’s bowlers made major breakthroughs. Farid Hasan contributed 39 from 49 balls, but wickets were falling regularly. India’s bowlers Yudhajit Guha, Chetan Sharma and Hardik Raj took two wickets each as Bangladesh was bundled out for 198. The hosts in the 50th wicket were poised to run at a comfortable pace.
The play, however, held an uproar. Bangladesh’s batsmen unleashed their fury, taking two important wickets in the first five overs. Ayush Mhatre made just one run before losing to the deadly Iqbal Hasan Emon, and the 13-year-old Indian darling Vaibhav Suryavanshi was out for 9.
Ever since, India’s batting order came to a halt. Karthikeya KP (21) and captain Mohammad Amaan (26) tried to level the innings with a quick 29-run partnership, but disaster came in the 20th over as Emon upended India with two early wickets. With India trailing at 73-5 by the 21st over, the battle was a tough one.
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The middle and lower order didn’t pose a problem — Harvansh Pangalia (6), Kiran Chormale (1) and Nikhil Kumar (0) did so economically. Even Hardik Raj’s lingering 24 gave just a tiny glimpse of redemption when India toppled under constant attack. Azizul Tamim sealed the win by catching Hardik lbw and adding two wickets for a historic Bangladesh win.
The performance of the match were Bangladesh’s bowlers, whose deft bowling thwarted the Indian bowling. Iqbal Hasan Emon made an impressive display, picking up three wickets for 24 runs and Azizul Tamim was just as influential, posting figures of 3-8 in 2.2 overs. Debasish Deba’s economical six overs, in which he conceded just 17 runs, contributed to India’s failure to build momentum.
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Iqbal Hasan Emon’s brilliant innings clinched the Player of the Match award as well as Player of the Tournament with 13 wickets taken in total during the tournament.
There was a wild atmosphere at Dubai International Cricket Stadium with Bangladeshi fans cheering each wicket. The batsmen sucked in the momentum, clearly excited and encroaching on the pitch during the last overs. It was a victory not only in the title defense but of grit and growing belief in an ever-growing roster.
The cricketing world took notice. Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop hailed Bangladesh, writing on social media:
It’s become increasingly competitive between India and Bangladesh, especially for youth. Their heated experiences, which include the 2020 U19 World Cup final that featured violent on-field fighting, have given their matches a edge. This recent victory only further intensifies the rivalry as Bangladesh shifts the odds towards them on another epic level.
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Protecting a modest score against cricketing powerhouses like India, Bangladesh has proven the depth of their youth cricket system. Back-to-back wins showcase the team’s capacity to keep up despite the pressure. Considering the success of Iqbal Hasan Emon and Azizul Tamim, Bangladeshi cricket’s future seems very bright.
So for now, the winners will take pride in their accomplishment, and once again show that drive, collaboration and faith are powerful enough to beat even the toughest of challenges.
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