Youths solid amidst rain
The 50-over game turned into a 20-over affair due to rain and Bangladesh embraced the challenge with both hands to make a flying start in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, securing an 87-run win against Namibia at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln yesterday.
However the real story of the opening day was not the Bangladesh youths' accomplished performance, but Darwish Rasooli's unbeaten 78-ball 76 which led Afghanistan to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan.
In other games, hosts New Zealand rode on big-hitter Finn Allen's century to clinch a comprehensive eight-wicket win against defending champions West Indies while Zimbabwe cantered to a 10-wicket win against Papua New Guinea.
Back to the Bangladesh match, Saif Hassan led from the front with 84 runs off 48 balls, a knock that contained three fours and five sixes, to help Bangladesh post a huge total of 190 for four.
Naim Sheikh was the other notable scorer, chipping in with 60 with the help of eight fours and a six. However Pinak Ghosh set the tone, making 26 of Bangladesh's initial 33 runs, and hitting four fours.
Namibia were buried under the pressure of a huge target and Eben van Wyk and Nicol Loftie-Eaton's partnership of 69 only allowed them to regain some respectability.
Qazi Onik (2-14) did the early damage while Hasan Mahmud also picking up 2-14 as Namibia finished at 103 for 6.
Bangladesh will play their second match at the same venue against Canada tomorrow before their last group match against England on January 18, which will be telecast live by Star Sports.
SCORES IN BRIEF
BANGLADESH U-19s: 190 for 4 (Saif 84, Naim 60, Pinak 26; Nell 1-22, Burger 1-31)
NAMIBIA U-19s: 103 for 6 in 20 overs (Van Wyk 55; Hasan Mahmud 2-12, Onik 2-14, Towhid 1-14)
Result: Bangladesh U-19s won by 87 runs.
Player-of-the-match: Saif Hassan.
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