India defeat Bangladesh in the U-19s Asia Cup final

Bangladesh Under 19 suffered a five-run defeat at the hands of their Indian counterparts in the final of the Asian Cricket Council Under-19s Asia Cup at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo today.

It was an agonising defeat for the young Tigers as they came as close as scoring 101 before being bundled out in 33 overs while chasing India's 106-run total. Coming in to chase the paltry total, Bangladesh lost four of their top-order batsmen for just 16 runs after 4.1 overs. None of the Bangladesh batsmen could get going as only a team high of 36-ball 23 came from skipper Akbar Ali in the middle while only three other batsmen were able to get a two-figure mark score. However, it still looked like that the young Tigers would be able to get over the line. But Bangladesh suffered yet another close margin defeat to India when Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Shahin Alam were dismissed within a span of just three deliveries in the 33rd over after a 23-run ninth-wicket stand between Tanzim and Rakibul Hasan. India's left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar was the pick of their bowlers, returning figures of five for 28 in eight overs.

Earlier, India elected to bat first after winning the toss. However, things were not looking good for Dhruv Jurel's side as India were left reeling on three for eight after 5.1 overs. However, a 57-ball 33 from skipper Jurel and Karan Lal's 43-ball 37 helped them post 106 in 32.4 overs.

For Bangladesh, right-arm spinner Shamim Hossain remained the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of three for eight in his six overs that saw two maidens. This would have been Bangladesh's maiden Under-19 Asia Cup triumph if the young Tigers had managed to clinch the title today.