ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: India Thrash Bangladesh to Qualify for the Semis
Nov 2, 2023 at 4:20 PM
India set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with arch-rivals Pakistan after thrashing Bangladesh by 131 runs in the quarterfinal on Friday (January 26).
Bangladesh’s chase never looked on track. At 55 for one, they were looking set to give Prithvi Shaw & Co. a run for their money, but once Anukul Roy ended Pinak Ghosh’s 43-run knock, it became one-way traffic. From 76 for two, Bangladesh was reduced to 85 for five and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. The rot only stopped when they were all out for 134 in the 43rd over.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti was the most successful bowler for India, picking up three for 18 while Anukul and Shivam Mavi picked up two wickets apiece.
Earlier, half-centuries from Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma had helped India post a competitive total. The three-time champions were off to a poor start with their in-form opener Manjot Kalra being dismissed by Robiul Hoque for just nine. Prithvi Shaw and Gill then steadied the ship and laid the platform for a good total by adding 86 runs for the second wicket before Qazi Onik castled the India skipper.
It was followed by another fifty-plus stand between Gill and Harvik Desai before Bangladesh clawed their way back into the game by dismissing both the settled batsmen in quick succession. Desai was the first to depart when his 34-run knock was ended by Nayeem which also ended the 74-run stand. Five runs later, Nayeem ended Gill’s brilliant knock of 86 to put India in a spot of bother.
From there on, India kept on losing wickets at regular intervals, but Abhishek Sharma held firm from one end, scoring 50 off 49 to guide the team to a good total. India lost their last six wickets for just 50 runs, but in the end, their total was more than enough to take them to the next stage.
Brief score:
India 265 for 10 (Gill 86, Sharma 50, Qazi Onik 3-48) beat Bangladesh 134 for 10 (Pinak Ghosh 43, Nagarkoti 3-18) by 131 runs.