India face Irish test today
Chittagong: Host Bangladesh gave the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016 a momentous start with a 43-run victory over defending champion South Africa in the opening Group A match, here on Wednesday.
Electing to bat on a slow pitch at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here, Bangladesh lost wickets just when the batsmen appeared to have settled down and was restricted to 240 for seven in their 50 overs.
Nazmul Hossain hit 73 off 82 balls to boost the total after useful contributions from Pinak Ghosh (43) and Joyraz Sheik (46).
The target proved too tough for South Africa, which was bowled out for 197 in the penultimate over despite a defiant 100 from opener Liam Smith.
Smith batted till the 45th over before being the seventh batsman out, caught superbly in the covers by Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan.
Mehidy, leading his nation in the second successive ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, picked up three for 37 with his off-spin. Seamer Mohammad Saifuddin took three for 30.
It was Bangladesh’s first win over South Africa in the ICC U19 World Cup following four previous defeats, but Wedneday’s victory was its 12th in 15 matches against the same opponents over the past two years.
With Scotland and Namibia the other sides in the group, Bangaldesh’s victory makes it the favourite to secure top place from Group A and avoid a possible quarter-final clash against Rahul Dravid-coached India. Meanwhile, a formidable India U-19 team coached by the legendary Rahul Dravid start as overwhelming favourites against minnows Ireland in their opening Group D league match of the ICC U-19 World Cup, here on Thursday.
Being three-time champions, the tournament has always helped India unearth raw talent who have gone on to become big stars in the future.
Whether it is Yuvraj Singh or India’s current No. 1 batsman Virat Kohli, India have been lucky in terms of tapping quality talent from the tournament.
It’s no different this time round as the likes of Ishan Kishan, Risabh Pant, Avesh Khan would like to showcase their talent under the able guidance of Dravid, in an event which is widely televised.
The absence of Australia, who pulled out citing security reasons, increase India’s chances by manifold as the cricket-crazy nation always has had a fair chance in the age-group events.
The strength of the Indian team can be gauged by the fact that five of their players have already played first-class cricket and one has played T20 cricket for the senior state team. (PTI)