Jr. Tigers lost their 2nd Group D match of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup as they lost to West Indies by a single run at Fitzerbert Park in Nwe Zealand on Sunday.
Chasing 250 to win, Bangladesh needed two runs from three balls with one wicket in hand, but Shaker Ahmed’s run-out sparked wild celebrations in the West Indian camp.
Bangladesh’s chase had been one of fits and starts — four batsmen fell between individual scores of 13 and 15 — until Shabbir Rahman and Tasamul Haque forged a 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Rahman’s dismissal for a 52-ball 53, to the legspin of Yannic Cariah at 187 for 6 broke the momentum, which was followed by Cariah sending back Nurul Hasan seven runs later. West Indies took the eighth wicket at 225, but Haque and the No. 10 Abul Hasan appeared to have Bangladesh on track for a tense win in the final over.
But West Indies was still to play their best card. Haque was bowled by the medium-pacer Jason Holder for 54 with the third ball, and on the fourth Shaker was run out. Bangladesh had lost a thriller, running out of steam on the home stretch, but despite the loss they stayed top of Group D having won their opening match.
Cariah was adjudged Man of the Match for his two wickets and 44 earlier in the day, when he had helped West Indies’ middle order recover after a shaky start induced by seamer Shaker Ahmed. His two wickets in an economical new-ball display had left West Indies at 20 for 3 inside six overs, but Cariah, the captain Andre Creary (53), and the lower middle order weighed in. Shane Dowrich and Akeen Dewar, who took three wickets in Bangladesh’s chase, further, boosted West Indies down the order before Jermaine Blackwood thumped 48 from 28 balls. How crucial those runs proved.
In the remaining group match, Bangladesh will play mighty Pakistan on Jan 20 at the same venue to decide their fate for the quarterfinals.
Scores In Brief
West Indies U-19: 249 for eight in 50 overs (Creary 55, Blackwood 48, Cariah 44; Shaker Ahmed 2-39, Abul Hasan 2-55)
Bangladesh U-19: 248 all out in 49.4 overs (Shabbir Rahman 53, Tasamul Haque 54; Dewar 3-63, Cariah 2-38)
