Azizullah miakhil

U19 Asia Cup: Openers Rifat Beg and Zawad Abrar hit half-centuries each and helped Bangladesh edge Afghanistan by three wickets in their Group B clash of the Men’s U19 Asia Cup at The ICC Academy in Dubai on Saturday.

After Faisal Shinozada top-scored with 103, as Afghanistan posted 283/7, Bangladesh completed the chase with an over to spare despite a late collapse. Bangladesh appeared in control for a breezy end to the chase at 236/ 2, needing only 48 runs off 45 balls with eight wickets in hand.

But four wickets fell in the space of four overs, giving Afghanistan a glimmer of hope. All-rounder Rizan Hossan’s brisk 17 not out eventually settled nerves and carried Bangladesh home with seven balls remaining. Openers Abrar and Beg laid the platform for Bangladesh’s win with a rollicking 151-run stand.