Under-23s lose youth ODI series 3-1

Batting failures remain the biggest concern for the Bangladesh Under-23 team as, despite posting over two hundred runs for the first time on tour in the fourth youth ODI, the visitors faced a four-wicket defeat to their Indian counterparts at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow yesterday. The result means they have lost the five-match series 3-1 with a game remaining.

It was once again the top-order's failure that let the young Tigers down as they could post just 202 for six in 50 overs. India, riding on skipper Priyam Garg's century, reached the target with four wickets and 46 balls to spare.

After electing to bat, Bangladesh found themselves struggling on 55 for four inside 15 overs. Despite getting a start, opener Saif Hasan was dismissed for 27. Ariful Haque and Al Amin added 56 runs for the fourth wicket but both departed in their forties. Only Mahidul Islam's unbeaten fifty helped Bangladesh cross the two-hundred run mark.

The selectors will be disappointed by the performances from the likes of Saif, Yasir Ali and Zakir Hossain who were below par with the bat throughout the series despite being considered future batting options for the senior side.

The fifth and final game of the series will be contested tomorrow.