U-19 Tigers roar in GD Cup opener

Bangladesh Under-19 team began their GD Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, crushing the Under-17 side by 246 runs in the opening match of the three-team tournament organised by the Game Development Committee.

With the Asian Cricket Council Under-19 Asia Cup title recovery mission ahead in November and a bilateral series against Afghanistan U-19s on the horizon, the age-group selectors are closely monitoring performances in the GD Cup as they finalise the squad.

The U-19 team made a strong statement in their first outing, posting a commanding 329-8 in 43 overs before bowling out the U-17 side for just 83 runs.

Winning the toss and opting to bat, the U-19s were powered by a superb innings from opener Zarif Siam, who narrowly missed out on a century after scoring 99 runs.

Zarif struck 12 fours and three sixes in his 76-ball knock and shared a brilliant 141-run third-wicket partnership with Ahsan Al Mumin, who contributed a valuable 67.

Middle-order batter Farid Hasan Faysal also played an important role, adding 62 runs to strengthen the U-19 total.

Zarif’s hopes of reaching three figures ended in unfortunate fashion. While attempting a single after Ahsan’s shot towards square leg, the opener was run out at the non-striker’s end on 99.

Chasing a daunting 330-run target, the U-17 side struggled from the beginning and were bowled out for 83 runs.

Shakil Khan led the bowling attack with impressive figures of 3-8, while Atikur Rahman Akash and Tafiul Alam Tamim claimed two wickets each, conceding just three and 12 runs respectively.

The U-17 innings was in deep trouble early on as they slipped to 15-4 before a brief fifth-wicket resistance added 33 runs.

However, the U-19 bowlers quickly regained control to seal a dominant opening victory.