U-19 crowned champions after rain washes out final

The GD Cup final between Bangladesh U-23 and U-19 teams was abandoned due to rain at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, with the U-19 side crowned champions for collecting more points in the round-robin league.

Batting first, the U-23 side were bowled out for 245. In reply, the U-19 team were reduced to 99-5 in 17.2 overs before rain brought the game to a halt, with no further play possible.

At least 20 overs were required to determine a result under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. As that mark was not reached, the match could not produce a result, leaving the U-19 side champions based on their superior points tally in the round-robin stage.

The champions received Tk7.5 lakh in prize money, while the runners-up U-23 side received Tk3 lakh.

Pacer Tafiul Alam Tamim was the standout performer for the U-19 side in the rain-hit final, taking 6-36 in his first appearance in the GD Cup.

U-19 batter Sk Zarif Siyam, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, received a premium cricket bat, while U-17 pacer Yousef Majid was awarded bowling boots.