Bangladesh stun India to lift U19 World Cup
Potchefstroom: Bangladesh U-19 team rode skipper Akbar Ali's heroic unbeaten knock to stun India and win their maiden World Cup by three wickets via D/L method in a nerve-wrenching final, interrupted by rain towards the end, here on Sunday.
Akbar remained not out on 43 off 77 balls (4x4, 1x6) and showed nerves of steel at his young age with Rakibul Hossain (9 not out) who hit the winning runs to break into emotional celebrations.
Opener Parvez Hossain Emon top-scored with 47 from 79 deliveries and batted through pain after he had to retire hurt when he was batting on 25.
This was the Indian colts' first loss at this tournament in 12 matches since their defeat against West Indies in the final of the 2016 edition. They have won the U-19 World Cup four times and were chasing a record-extending fifth title.
Openers Emon and Tanzid Hasan were off to a good start chasing 177 after they bowled India out for a paltry total.
Hasan slog-swept Bishnoi for a six in the ninth over as Bangladesh looked to be cruising to the small target.
But 19-year old Jodhpur-born Bishnoi had the last laugh as his third googly in a row had Hasan (17) hole out to Kartik Tyagi at mid-wicket.
Bishnoi continued his good work as another googly in the 13th over forced Mahmudul Hasan Joy (8), who scored a century in the semifinal against New Zealand, to chop the ball onto his stumps.
Bangladesh was suddenly in a spot of bother as just after Joy's dismissal, Emon suffered from cramps and had to retire hurt with the score on 62/2.
There was no stopping Bishnoi and his 'wrong uns' as the 19-year old came back in the 15th over to trap Towhid Hridoy (0) in front after a maiden from Akash Singh in the previous over.
The rain stopped play when Rakibul and Akbar were going strong and batting sensibly and Bangladesh needed 15 runs to win. But as play has begun, the pair eased through the gears and ensured there was no further drama.
Brief scores: India U19 177 in 47.2 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 88, Tilak Varma 38; Avishek Das 3/28) vs Bangladesh U19 (170/7 Parvez Hossain 47, Akbar Ali 43; Ravi Bishnoi 4/30). IANS
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