Ariful Islam of Bangladesh hit a century but it was not enough as Pakistan put up a spirited all-round performance to register a six-wicket win in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 clash in Coolidge, Antigua.
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Ariful Islam scored 57 percent of the runs in the Bangladesh side in their match against Pakistan in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 clash in Coolidge. The problem was that the remaining batsmen managed just 75 runs amongst themselves. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and their all-round show with the bat gave them a solid six-wicket win. The victory in Coolidge, Antigua meant that Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in the fifth-place play-off in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 on February 3.
Bangladesh chose to bat and they had a steady start in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022. Pakistan bowled with discipline and they were rewarded in the eighth over. Awais Ali dismissed Mahfijul Islam for 6. Ahmed Khan then sent back Prantik Nawrose Nabil as Bangladesh stuttered. When Awais Ali took his second wicket, Bangladesh was in big trouble. Ariful Islam showed his class with two boundaries off Ahmed Khan. He needed support from the other batsman but Pakistan continued to chip away.
Iftakher Hossain and Ariful Islam stitched a solid stand to revive Bangladesh. The partnership neared fifty but Iftakher was run-out for 25. Mehran Mumtaz then struck as he sent back Mohammad Fahim. Ariful Islam then notched up his fifty with a six off Maaz Sadaqat. However, Mumtaz came back into the attack and dismissed SM Meherob for 14 as Bangladesh failed to build momentum.
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Bangladesh was left reeling at 123/8, with Mumtaz taking three wickets for 14 runs. Ariful Islam struck a couple of boundaries to move into the 70s. In the 46th over, Ariful Islam blasted three sixes off Awais Ali to enter the 90s. Ariful Islam notched up a brilliant century but he fell on 100 to Awais Ali. Bangladesh ended on 175 and Pakistan looked to wrap things up quickly.
Pakistan started aggressively, with Haseebullah Khan hitting Ripon Mondal for a four and a six. Muhammad Shehzad hit two boundaries off Mondal as Pakistan scored at close to five runs an over. Shehzad hit another six as the opening partnership went past fifty. The opening partnership looked good before Naimur Rohman sent back Muhammad Shehzad for 36. Haseebullah hit a six off Aich Mollah and notched up his fifty in grand style.
He got good support from Irfan Khan as Pakistan was coasting towards the target. Haseebullah looked good for a century but Rakibul Hasan ended his brilliant knock on 79. When Irfan Khan was run-out, there was a slight chance of Bangladesh registering a fightback. Abdul Faseeh held firm and calmly guided Pakistan closer to the target. Despite losing Qasim Akram, Pakistan coasted to the target with 20 balls to spare
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