U-19s keep series alive

Left-arm spinner Rafiuzzaman Rafi registered a five-wicket haul as Bangladesh U-19s won by four wickets against their South African counterparts in the penultimate fixture of the five-match one-day series at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi yesterday.

The series now stands at 2-2, and the decider is slated for July 18th.

The home side's decision to bowl was justified with Rizan Hossain making early inroads. He castled opener Thebe Gazide for one before getting skipper David Teeger leg-before in the very next delivery of just the second over.

Rizan would return to the attack to remove Johnathan Warren, leaving the visitors at 30 for three. Lhuandre Gilbert was holding the innings together during a 43-run knock before Rafiuzzaman started weaving his spin web to bundle out the visitors for 128 in 35.2 overs.

In reply, young Tigers struggled early as left-arm spinner Liam Alder bagged three to leave Bangladesh at 78 for six. Ashrafur Rahman and Mahfuzur Rabby both struck 25 during a 53-run stand to secure the win.