Bangladesh’s Under-19 team finished third in the Quadrangular Under-19 series, defeating England by six wickets in today’s third-place play-off match at Vijayawada’s Chukkapalli Pitchaiah Cricket Ground.
The youthful Tigers chased down a daunting 304-run goal with six wickets in hand and four balls to spare thanks to skipper Ahrar Amin’s unbeaten century.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, faltered early in their chase, sliding to 53 for three in the first 18 overs. The ship was then stabilised by Ahrar and Ariful Islam, who added 152 runs for the fourth wicket. The latter was out after hitting six fours and four sixes in his 70-ball 81.
Chowdhury Rizwan, another capable partner, was then discovered by Ahrar. The pair compiled an unbroken 102 runs for the fifth wicket to reach the mark in 49.2 overs.
Ahrar finished unbeaten on 108 off 84 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes, while Rizwan was unbeaten on 36 balls.
Earlier, England chose to bat and produced 303 for five. Hamza Shaikh scored 106 from 105 balls before being removed by Rohanat Doullah, studded with 12 fours and four sixes.
Charlie Allison took on the Bangladeshi bowlers after Hamza left. He was not out on 82 from 63 balls, with seven fours and two sixes, as England produced a spirited 303 for five.
The young Tigers had failed to qualify for the final of the four-team event, in which India U-19 A team won by 66 runs over India U-19 B team on the same day.