England started their ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 in grand style by beating defending champions Bangladesh by seven wickets in Warner Park, St Kitts.
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A devastating spell of 4/16 by Joshua Boyden and 2/18 from Thomas Aspinwall helped England destroy defending champions by seven wickets Bangladesh in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 clash in St Kitts on Sunday. Bangladesh never recovered from being reduced to 31/6 in 16.3 overs as they were bowled out for 97. Had it not been for No.11 Ripon Mondal’s 33 and a stand of 46 for the final wicket, Bangladesh would have suffered even greater humiliation. On a sluggish pitch, England struggled initially but they chased the target down.
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat and that was the only thing that they managed to win. The defending champions started slowly, crawling to five runs in four overs. But, Joshua Boyden then worked his magic. He sent back Mahfijul Islam and Ariful Islam in quick succession. When James Seales sent back Nawrose Nabil, Bangladesh was in big trouble. When Mohammad Fayim was run out, Bangladesh was 10/4 in 10 overs.
Bangladesh continued to lose wickets, with Thomas Aspinwall the medium-pacer sending back Ashiqur Zaman. When Fateh Sing sent back Aich Mollah, Bangladesh was 35/6. Things did not improve for Bangladesh. Joshua Boyden came back and sent back Abdullah Al Mamun for 4. Boyden had figures of 6-3-6-3, more of a Tennis score than cricket. When Aspinwall and Boyden struck, Bangladesh was reduced to 51/9. Boyden had incredible figures of 7-4-6-4.
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Ripon Mondal then threw his bat around. He hit three fours off Sales, with Boyden dropping him at fine leg on 6. Mondal then hit Boyden for a six to ruin his figures and followed it up with two fours off Fateh Singh. Naimur Rahman also gave him good company as Bangladesh neared 100. But, Tom Prest ended the fun when Rahman was caught for 11, with James Rew taking a brilliant, diving catch.
Like Bangladesh, England also started slowly but Bangladesh missed a run-out chance off George Thomas. The batsman finally got off the mark on the 23rd ball that he faced. Thomas then smashed two fours as England made good progress. However, Mondal sent back Thomas to continue his good run for the day. Bangladesh skipper Rakibul Hasan then sent back England skipper Tom Prest for 6 as the match started becoming more intense.
James Rew broke the shackles with a six and two fours in consecutive overs. Bethell then hit a six and Rew continued the onslaught with another boundary. Bethell and Rew stitched a superb partnership with Bethell nearing a fifty with a six off Rohman. But, Bethell was needlessly run out but it was too late. William Luxton hit a six and Rew helped England cross the line by seven wickets with 149 balls remaining.
