Rizon’s fifer powers Junior Tigers to winning start

Rubay Islam Rizon claimed five wickets as Bangladesh Under-19 beat Afghanistan Under-19 by 33 runs in the opening Youth One Day International in Al Amerat, Oman, on Saturday.

Rizon returned figures of five for 37 to help Bangladesh defend a total of 250-8, built on half-centuries from SK Jarif Siyam , Ahsan Al Mumin and an unbeaten 79 from Rakibul Hossan.

Batting first after winning the toss, Tigers lost opener Abdullah Al Muhi to a wicketkeeper’s catch off the second ball.

Jarif and his partner steadied the innings with a 68-run second-wicket stand, with the opener scoring 50 off 53 balls.

Ahsan and Rakibul then put the junior green and red in command with a 117-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Ahsan made 54 off 70 balls, while Rakibul remained unbeaten on 79 off 78 deliveries. 

Afghanistan’s Imran Mohammadi took three wickets for 57 runs.

Afghanistan stayed in the contest until the 45th over of their chase, but a late collapse proved decisive. They lost four wickets for just six runs as Rizon ripped through the lower order.

Hamza Khan top-scored for Afghanistan with 51 off 71 balls, but his effort was not enough to prevent Bangladesh from securing a 33-run victory and taking an early lead in the series.