ACC Under-19 Cup 2016: Day 2 Round up

India continued their domination in the ACC Under-19 Cup by defeating Nepal in a Group A encounter. Despite India’s brilliant performance, the day belonged to unfancied Afghanistan as they defeated their neighbours Pakistan by 21 runs to stage a major upset in the tournament. In the other two matches of the day Bangladesh and hosts Sri Lanka were overwhelming winners beating Singapore and Malaysia by comprehensive margins.

Afghanistan vs Pakistan

Pakistan won the toss and put their opposition in. Openers Naveed Obaid and Ibrahim Zadran stitched together a crucial 74-run partnership for the opening wicket to lay the foundation for a big score. Zadran scored a fluent half-century and was well supported by No.3 batsman Tariq who chipped in with a crucial 59.

But the real match changing innings was yet to come. In came Darwish Rasooli and the whole complexion of the game changed. Rasooli started finding the gaps on regular intervals and was well supported by Tariq at the other end. The duo shared a 100-run partnership for the 4th wicket before Tariq fell in the 46th over. In the last 3 overs of the innings, Rasooli went hammers and tongs and fetched as many as 52 runs. At the end of 50 overs, the swashbuckling batsman remained unbeaten on 92 of 65 balls, an innings constructed with 11 fours and 3 maximums.

Pakistan lost early wickets and was never in the hunt despite valiant efforts from Abdullah Shafiq, Saad Khan and Shaheen Shah Afradi. While Shafique scored a fluent 60, Saad Khan and Afradi chipped in with 48 each. Zahir Khan was the wrecker in chief for the Afghans as he finished with impressive figures of 3/21 in 6 overs. Pakistan was eventually dismissed for 252, thus handling Afghanistan a famous victory by 21 runs.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan Under-19s 273/3 in 50 overs (Darwish Rasooli 92*, Muhammad Hasnain 2/52)

Pakistan Under-19s 252 all out in 49.1 overs (Abdullah Shafique 60, Zahir Khan 3/21)

Afghanistan U19 won by 21 runs

Bangladesh vs Singapore

Bangladesh won their 2nd consecutive match of the tournament by crushing Singapore by 7 wickets. Bangladesh put the oppositions in after winning the toss and made early inroads straightaway. The Singapore batsmen were unable to cope with any of the Pakistan bowlers as they were shot out for 70 in the 26th over. Abdul Halim and Nayeem Hasan were the wreckers-in-chief for Bangladesh and finished with 3 wickets each.

Though the Bangla Tigers lost 3 wickets, they chased down the total within 5 overs with utmost comfort. Opener Saif Hassan remained unbeaten on 33 and Ansh Bhargave of Singapore chipped in with 2/34 in 2 overs.

Brief Scores:

Singapore Under-19s 70 all out in 25.5 overs (Rohan Rangarajan 23, Nayeem Hasan 3/16)

Bangladesh Under-19s 71/3 in 5 overs (Saif Hassan 33*, Ansh Bhargave 2/34)

Bangladesh U19 won by 7 wickets (with 270 balls remaining)

India vs Nepal

The 3rd encounter of the day saw defending Champions India defeating underdogs Nepal by 6 wickets. Nepal had played brilliant cricket on the first day and had narrowly lost by a solitary run against the hosts Sri Lanka. But Nepal was aware of the fact that India would be a much tougher challenge and it was evident from their performance.

Winning the toss and batting first, Nepal never really got going and lost wickets at regular intervals. They lost half their side for a mere 51 runs and was looking down the barrel. The innings got some substance from Rohan Kumar who scored matured 68 in 93 balls hitting 7 fours and two sixes in the process. At the end of the 50 overs Nepal reached 172/9 with Rohit Kumar remaining unbeaten. Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar was brilliant with his variations and finished with 5/27 in his allotted 10 overs.

India lost Prithvi Shaw early but useful contributions from Himanshu Rana and Shubham Gill meant the Men in Blue was well in pursuit of the victory target. Both were dismissed after scoring their respective half-centuries but their innings was enough to take the Indian colts over the finishing line.

Brief Scores:

Nepal Under-19s 172/9 in 50 overs (Rohan Kumar 68, Rahul Chahar 5/27)

India Under-19s 174/4 in 33.3 overs (Shubham Gill 57, Pawan Sarraf 3/43)

India U19 won by 6 wickets (with 99 balls remaining)

Sri Lanka vs Malaysia

It was hosts Sri Lanka who took on Malaysia in the last contest of the day. Sri Lanka who narrowly won their opening encounter against Nepal bowled pretty well after winning the toss and putting the visitors in. Apart from opener Ainool Haqqiem who scored a sedate 94 balls 41, not a single batsman clicked as Malaysia was eventually bowled out for 104 in 38.2 overs. For Sri Lanka Kamindu Mendis and Ashen Bandara was the leading wicket takers with three wickets each.

Sri Lanka lost their opener Ravindu Sembukuttige early but it was not enough to derail the hosts. Vishva Chathuranga scored a quickfire half century and remained unbeaten on 68 of 55 balls to guide the hosts to a comfortable victory.

Brief Scores:

Malaysia Under-19s 104 all out in 38.2 overs (Ainool Haqqiem 41, Kamindu Mendis 3/10)

Sri Lanka Under-19s 108/2 in 18 overs (Vishva Chathuranga 68, Virandeepn Singh 1/30)

Sri Lanka U19 won by 8 wickets (with 192 balls remaining)