BAN U19 VS IRE U19 MATCH 8

Right then, that is it from this game where Bangladesh Under-19 gets their first win while Ireland Under-19 faced defeat for the first which makes this group even more interesting. However, the action in the ICC Under-19 World Cup continues on 23rd January, Tuesday with a double-header. The hosts, South Africa U-19 clash against England U-19 while New Zealand U-19 takes on Afghanistan U-19. Both matches will start at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the matches. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Mahfuzur Rahman, the victorious skipper of Bangladesh Under-19 starts by saying that the Irish bowlers bowled really well but their batters have done a pretty good job and he is happy with the effort. He continues that the wicket was chasable but they were under pressure when Chowdhury Md Rizwan and Ariful Islam were dismissed in quick succession. He is also happy that the changes worked for the team. He ends up saying that they still need to improve their bowling as well as fielding, and he hopes that the batters continue like this in the upcoming games as well.

Philippus le Roux, the captain of Ireland Under-19 says that Bangladesh Under-19 handled the chase very well. Adds that they used the conditions well in the first innings. Tells that they did manage to get back in the game but Bangladesh were really calm throughout the game. Says that they backed themselves at the halfway mark to defend but it was not their day, but gives credit to Kian Hilton for his knock and the batters too. Mentions that they did not want to take any chances with Reuben Wilson with the tournament being a long one but that did make them change their plans a bit. Ends by saying he is still confident about his players and they will look to put up a better show in the big game against India.

Md Shihab James is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his excellent half-century. He starts by thanking the almighty. He continues that he had a bit of pressure when he arrived to bat but he did well at the end. He He also states that he is happy to finish the game well. Tells that things didn't go according to their plan in the previous match but it worked in this match and he is happy about that. He ends up saying he always tries to finish the game and he is still working on that skill set.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first, Ireland Under-19 posted a pretty competitive total on the board. Kian Hilton top-scored with a fantastic 90 while there were good contributions from Jordan Neill, Scott Macbeth, and John McNally. Maruf Mridha and Sheikh Paevez Jibon got a couple of wickets each for Bangladesh Under-19 while Md Rafi Uzzaman Rafi, Mahfuzur Rahman, and Md Rohanat Doullah Borson chipped in with one each. While chasing, it was not all smooth, but a couple of big partnerships made sure that they left Mangaung Oval with two points.

Ireland Under-19, on the other hand, will be a bit disappointed with their bowling effort. They failed to make early inroads. The two most effective bowlers from the previous game failed to make much impact. Oliver Riley was expensive while Reuben Wilson could not bowl more than five overs as he had to leave the field due to back spasms which we hope is not that serious. Scott Macbeth managed to get a couple of wickets in the middle overs while Matthew Weldon and John McNally also got one each but that was not enough as they could not build on that. The decision to play an extra seamer also turned out to be not a wise one as this wicket helped the spinners more and ultimately they fell short here.

Bangladesh Under-19 started brilliantly as both their openers looked in good touch and did not let the Irish pacers to settle in. They stitched up an excellent 90-run opening stand before Adil Bin Siddik got dismissed for 36 while his opening partner, Ashiqur Rahman Shibli followed him after scoring 44. Then they lost a couple of more wickets in quick succession, and somewhere in the back of their minds would have been thinking of the collapse against India where they lost the last six wickets for 40 runs. However, Md Shihab James who batted well in the last game as well joined hands with Ahrar Amin and formed an incredible unbroken partnership to get rid of any sort of jitters. Together, they added 109 runs and kept the Irish at bay. Md Shihab James remained unbeaten with his second consecutive fifty of the tournament while Ahrar Amin stayed not out on 45 and hit the winning runs.

Bangladesh Under-19 are up and running in the World Cup! They make it 6-0 against Ireland Under-19 at this level and assert their dominance even more. This is also the second-highest successful chase at his venue and the credit must go to the Bangladeshi batters for the way they approached the chase and finished the job with 19 balls to spare. Ireland Under-19 should not be disheartened as they did put up a good fight and will know that they still need to improve a lot to challenge top teams.

FOUR! Ahrar Amin finishes things off in style! Matthew Weldon bowls it fuller just outside off. Ahrar Amin clears his front leg and drills it to the right of mid off for a boundary. Bangladesh Under-19 beats Ireland Under-19 by six wickets!

On a length, on leg. James nudges it towards te deep square leg. Good effort in the deep as the fielder dives to his left and saves a run for the team. It looked so good that Ireland Under-19 still giving effort in the field to save a single run at this point of time.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR Md. Shihab James! This is his second consecutive half-century in this campaign! Matthew Weldon bowls fuller on off. James strides out and drives it from the middle of his willow to the left of wide mid off and gets a boundary.

Fuller delivery on the stumps. James defends it solidly.

FOUR! That was so well-adjusted! This one is low full toss, down the leg and a slower one. James flicks the delivery fine enough and the ball rolls towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

On a length, on middle. James tucks it towards the square leg region and gets a single.

Back of a length, around off, shaping in. James camps back and pushes it towards short cover.

Pitches up, on leg. Ahrar Amin covers the stump and milks it towards square leg region for a single.