Sarfaraz Khan’s smashing half-century wins India U-19 the tri-series

India U-19 bowlers put up a spirited performance bundling out Bangladesh for 116 in 36.5 overs while India reached 117 in just 13.3 overs, thanks to a belligerent knock from Sarfaraz Khan. The Mumbai youngster struck an unbeaten half-century to steer the team to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh and clinch the U-19 tri-series one-day cricket tournament title in Kolkata on Sunday.

Opting to bat, Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals as the home team bowlers ran riot with left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar scalping 3/32, while Shubham Mavi and Mahipal Lomror claimed 2 wickets each at the Jadavpur University Complex ground in, Kolkata.

Chasing a modest target, India was struggling at 42 for 3 in 6.3 overs from 38 for no loss at one stage. However Sarfaraz, who plays for UP in the Ranji Trophy hit a blistering 27-ball 59* (9×4, 3×6) and in the company of skipper Ricky Bhui (20 not out from 20 balls; 4×4) put up an unbroken 75-run match-winning partnership to overhaul the target in the 14th over.

The burly right-hander, who had a quiet tournament before Sunday’s match, returned to form with a superb knock. He was particularly brutal against Bangladeshi left-arm spinner Saleh Ahmed Shawon as he raced to the fastest half-century of the tournament. He conceded 15 runs and 20 runs from his ninth and 11th overs respectively with Sarfaraz striking 4, 6 and 4 before following it up with 4-6-4-4 in the next over to reach to his 50 in 23 balls.

Sarfaraz had a close call on 11 when his flashy drive over covers was missed by an outstretched Pinak Ghosh, who failed to get on to the difficult chance. He had knocks of 2, 0 and 12 in the first 3 matches but came up with a marvelous performance when mattered the most and was rightly adjudged the Man-of-the-Match.

Delhi left-hander Rishabh Pant, who topped the run charts (256) with a ton and two half-centuries from three matches, was adjudged the man of the series. Pant gave India a flying start with his typical flurry of shots across the field after Bangladesh started off with off-spinner Saeed Sarkar.

The Delhi lad lofted Sarkar over long on in the second ball he faced and the Bangladeshi bowlers had no answer to his attacking shots. He along with Washington Sundar (12) raced to 38 from 23 balls, but India suddenly lost 3 wickets with the addition of just four runs.

Sarkar gave the first breakthrough by castling Sundar and then Bangladesh skipper Mehedi Hasan made his presence felt both with the ball and on the field. Bangladesh though failed to make further inroads with Sarfaraz playing some scintillating shots.

Earlier, Bangladesh lost 2 quick wickets after Khaleel Ahmed gave the first breakthrough by bowling out Saif Hassan in the fourth over while Pinak Ghosh was run out. It was Nazmul Hossain Shanto (45), who gave the team some relief with a fighting knock from 66 balls, but Dagar once again triggered a collapse before Mavi and Lomror cleaned up the tail.