Bangladesh U-19 continue winning spree in tri-series

BSS, Dhaka:

Opener Rifat Beg struck an excellent half-century as Bangladesh continued its winning spree in the tri-nation tournament, thrashing hosts Zimbabwe by 160 runs in their last group match at Harare Sports Club on Friday.

The victory was Bangladeshi youngsters’ third in a row and fifth in six matches.

Rifat hammered a 78-ball 77, hitting 10 fours and one six as Bangladesh piled up 284-6, a total Zimbabwe found tough to chase.

Bangladesh bowlers also performed well, with captain Azizul Hakim Tamim and Rizan Hossain sharing six wickets evenly to skittle Zimbabwe U-19 for 124 in 35 overs.

New ball bowler Shahria Al-Amin took 2-27 to complement Hakim’s (3-25) and Rizan’s (3-9) efforts.

Only three Zimbabwean batters reached double figures, with Benny Zuze making the highest 47 and Michael Blignaut contributing 30.

Earlier, Rifat led Bangladesh’s charge to post a big total. Most Bangladeshi batters got good starts but couldn’t convert them into big scores. Farid Hossain remained not out on 38, while Debeshis Deba scored 34.

Abdullah chipped in with 37 and Hakim made 34.

Bangladesh will take on South Africa in the final today.