DHAKA, Dec 17, 2023 (BSS) - Opener Ashiqur Rahman Shibli struck a brilliant century as the Bangladesh Under-19 team crushed the United Arab Emirates by 195 runs to clinch their maiden Under-19 Asia Cup at ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai today.
The victory became sweeter for the young Tigers, considering that they won the title as unbeaten champions.
Asked to bat first, Bangladesh put up a daunting 282-8, thanks to a 149 ball-129 of Shibli. After that, the bowlers came up with disciplined bowling to wrap up UAE innings for just 87 in 24.5 overs.
Shibli who scored two centuries and as many half-centuries ended the tournament as the highest run-getter with 378 at a staggering average of 126.
Bangladesh made a disappointing start, losing opener Jishan Alam for just 7 but Shibli and Chowdhury M Rizwan got the side back on track with a 125-run partnership for the second wicket.
Rizwan was dismissed for 60 but Ariful Islam hit 40 ball 50 to help Shibli take the total out of UAE's reach. After the dismissal of Ariful, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals but Shibli kept the runs flowing to put the side on top.
Ayman Ahmed claimed 4-52 for UAE.
However, UAE batters never could raise the hope of overhauling the total as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Only two batters could reach double digits with Dhruv Parashar making the highest 25 and Akshat Rai scoring 11. A total of 14 runs came from sundries.
Maruf Mridha and Rohanat Doullah Borson claimed three wickets apiece while Iqbal Hossain Emon and Sheikh Parvez Jibon took two wickets each.
Bangladesh beat UAE, Japan, and Sri Lanka in the group phase before beating mighty India by four wickets in the semifinal.
The UAE beat Sri Lanka and Japan in the group phase and then stunned Pakistan in the semifinal but their dream run ended against the spirited Bangladesh youngsters, who now gave the country two multinational trophies, something which the national team is yet to do.
Earlier, in 2020, Bangladesh won the Under-19 World Cup, beating India.
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Mahfuzur Rahman
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