Sports Reporter:
A superb century by Azizul Hakim powered Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket team to level the five-match one-day series 2-2 after defeating Afghanistan Under-19 Cricket team by two wickets in their last match at Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshani on Sunday.
Opener Azizul Hakim hit a captain’s knock of exact 100. His 113-ball innings was decorated with three sixes and seven fours.
Chasing Afghanistan Youth’s total of 208 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs, Bangladesh Youth romped home scoring 211for the loss of eight wickets when they had 25 balls to spare.
Bangladesh lost their early two wickets for 41 runs. Opener Azizul Hakim and second-down Rizan Hossan built a worthy partnership scoring together 44 runs in the third wicket stand before Rizan Hossan was bowled out by Uzairaullah Niazai when Bangladesh’s score was 85 for the loss of three wickets. Rizan Hossan made 27 from 34 deliveries featuring two fours and a sixer.
Azizul Hakim and Farid Hasan made a remarkable partnership putting together 54 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Farid Hasan was bowled out by Wahidullah Zadran when Bangladesh’s score was 141 for the loss of five wickets.
Farid Hasan scored 23 from 43 balls including two fours and a sixer.
Later, Azizul Hakim and Shahria Al-Amin put on together 46 runs for the eighth wicket partnership before Azizul Hakim was dismissed by Salman Khan when Bangladesh’s total was 207 for the loss of eight wickets.
Sharia Al-Amin remained unbeaten with 17 runs.
Wahidullah Zadran captured four wickets instead of 25 runs, while Salman Khan and Uzairullah Niazai claimed two wickets each conceding 39 and 41 runs respectively.
Earlier, Samiun Bashir, Shahriar Ahmed, Saad Islam and Shahria Al-Amin played a vital role to restrict Afghanistan to a modest total.
Samiun Bashir bagged two wickets in the space of 33 runs, while Shahriar Ahmed, Saad Islam, Shahria Al-Amin picked up one wicket each for 32, 38 and 54 runs respectively. Osman Sadat notched up a fine 68. His 106-ball knock was belted with seven fours.
Mahboob Khan hit a captain’s knock of 40. His 59-ball innings was studded with two fours.
Besides, Uzairullah Niazai scored a remarkable 68-ball 32.
