U-23s' exit adds to tale of woes

The Bangladesh Under-23s exited the Asian Cricket Council Emerging Teams Cup after suffering an embarrassing 59-run defeat to United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Padang in Singapore yesterday.
The win was definitely a big boost for the UAE team but Bangladesh Under-23s just added another tale of woe to Bangladesh's recent sordid performances in the international arena.
The Bangladesh Under-19s recently returned home after a poor showing in England while a strong Bangladesh A team has been losing matches one after another on the ongoing tour of England.
But cricket authorities are now not in a mood to focus on the forlorn picture as everybody seems engaged with the upcoming elections of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Even someone like chief selector and former national skipper Akram Khan, who has expressed his desire to contest the elections, seems consumed by the upcoming polls. He was one of those present in yesterday's meeting between BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon and the organisers from the District and Divisional Sports Associations. That raises the question of exactly who is overseeing the cricket affairs as the elections draw nearer?
Back to yesterday's match, for Bangladesh Under-23s there was no alternative other than to win the match against the UAE if they were to make it to the semifinals after their defeat against Sri Lanka Under-23s in the second game, but their poor batting saw them tumble out of the tournament.
In chase of a 203-run winning target, Bangladesh started well through a 50-run partnership from Soumya Sarker and Rony Talukder but could not put together any significant partnerships in the middle order and ultimately were bundled out for 143 in 41 overs.
Nasir Aziz was adjudged the man of the match for his bowling figures of 5-17 and it was Shaiman Anwar who slammed exactly hundred to give UAE a fighting total. They combined to seal a semifinal spot for their side. UAE will next square off against India Under-23 in the first semi-final today.
Bangladesh Under-23s will return home with one victory from three matches as they won their first match against hosts Singapore.