U-19 World Cup round-up: England script 299-run victory, hosts Bangladesh beat defending champions SA

The eleventh edition of the ICC Under-19 World Cup started earlier today in Bangladesh. In the first match, hosts Bangladesh faced defending Champions South Africa at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong and the hosts defeated the Proteas by 43 runs.

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first. In their 50 overs, the hosts put up a fighting total of 240 for the loss of five wickets. The star of Bangladesh batting was their middle-order batsman Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who played a valiant innings of 73. Pinak Ghosh and Joyraz Sheik also made a useful contribution with their bat, scoring 43 and 46 respectable. For South Africa, their best bowler was Wiaan Mulder, who picked up three important wickets.

In reply, the defending Champions never looked in a good position at any point in time as they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. The Proteas opener Liam Smith’s fighting century went in vain as they were bowled out for 197. Bangladesh bowlers Mehedi Hasan Miraz Abdul Halim and Mohammad Saifuddin picked up three wickets each while Saeed Sarkar and Saleh Ahmed Shawon chipped in with one wicket apiece. Shawon recently got hit on his head during a practice session.

Bangladesh’s Nazmul Hossain Shanto was chosen as the Player of the Match for his valiant 73.

Brief Scores – BAN U-19 240/5 (Shanto 73, Sheik 46; Mulder 3/42) defeated SA U-19 197 all out (Smith 100, Galiem 22; Saifuddin 3/30, Miraz 3/37)

England demolished Fiji

Both of England’s centurions Dan Lawrance (left) and Jack Burnham

In the second match of the tournament at MA Aziz Stadium, Chittagong, England Under-19 team faced newcomers Fiji. England defeated Fiji by a mind-boggling 299 runs earlier today.

England won the toss and decided to bat first. England’s innings had a troubled start as they lost their opener Max Holden early but after that Dan Lawrence and Jack Burnham hammered the Fiji bowlers all over the park as the Three Lions Under-19 put up a massive total of 371 for the loss of 3 wickets in their scheduled 50 overs.

The inexperienced Fiji batting line-up crumbled in front of the England’s fast bowlers. Among the Fiji batsmen, only two have reached double figures. The highest scorer from them was Peni Vuniwaqa with 36. Apart from Vuniwaqa, no other batsmen were able to fight against the England bowlers as they were bowled out for 72 runs.

Among the English bowlers, Saqib Mahmood ended the match with a superb spell of 3/2 in five overs. Sam Curran also picked up three important wickets. Ben Green also contributed with the ball as he picked up two wickets.

England’s Dan Lawrence was chosen as the Player of the Match for his outstanding 174.

Brief Scores – ENG U-19 371/3 (Lawrence 174, Burnham 148; Tikoisuva 1/59) defeated Fiji U-19 72 all out (Vuniwaqa 36, Charters 10; Mahmood 3/2, Curran 3/22)