India clinch inaugural edition of the ACC Women's U19 Asia Cup 2024 with 41-run win over Bangladesh

India clinched the inaugural edition of the ACC Women's U19 T20 Asia Cup defeating Bangladesh by 41 runs in the final held at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, December 22. The tournament, which kicked off on December 15, was hosted by Malaysia and featured six teams vying for the crown divided into two groups of three each.

While Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and hosts Malaysia were drawn in Group A, India were placed in Group B alongside Nepal and arch-rivals Pakistan. The top two teams from each group qualified for the Super Four stage upon the conclusion of the group fixtures - Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal.

Both India (7 points) and Bangladesh (6 points) won three out of their four Super Four clashes to reach the summit clash. Gongadi Trisha emerged as the highest run scorer of the tournament with 159 runs to her name. Her teammate, 17-year-old slow left-arm orthodox bowler Aayushi Shukla, topped the bowling charts with 10 scalps.

India successfully defend 117 runs to claim the inaugural crown

Earlier, Bangladesh U19 skipper Sumaiya Akther won the toss and opted to bowl first. Put into bat, the Niki Prasad-led side managed to put up 117 runs on the board for the loss of seven wickets. Opener Gongadi Trisha stepped up to the occasion and top-scored for her team with a much-needed half-century in the final. Her 47-ball 52-run knock comprised five fours and two sixes. Fifteen-year-old right-arm medium fast bowler Farjana Easmin was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh having finished with the figures of 4/31.

Chasing 118 runs for glory, the Bangladesh batters failed to get going. Only opener Fahmida Choya and wicketkeeper batter Juairiya Ferdous registered double-digit scores while the rest of the batters failed to make major contributions with the bat. Eventually, they were bowled out for 76 runs in 18.3 overs thereby losing the contest by 41 runs. Aayushi Shukla was the chief tormentor with the ball given her spell of 3/17 in 3.3 overs. The highest run-getter Gongadi Trisha was adjudged Player of the Final as well as Player of the Tournament.