Champions Bangladesh began their ACC Men U19 Asia Cup 2025 with a moribund win by three wickets over an ambitious Afghanistan team at ICC Academy on Saturday. The third of eight teams tournament was a contest that not only met expectations of both teams but also witnessed a resilient and quality cricket.
Afghanistan, in its choice to have the first turn, set 283/7 which was a competitive score with a dominating century by Faisal Shinozada. The right-hander, who came out early, opened the innings by blasting a fluent 103 with 94 balls, including eight boundaries and four sixes. His key partnership of 93 with Uzairullah Niazai who made a consistent 44 gave Afghanistan the impetus during the mid-overs.
All the same, the bowlers in Bangladesh were able to hold things in check notwithstanding the onslaught. Shahriar Ahmed and Iqbal Hossain Emon took two wickets each, with Saad Islam, Samiun Basir and Rizan Hossan contributing timely breakthroughs to ensure that Afghanistan did not surpass 300 run mark.
In response, Bangladesh started chasing them in authoritative style, as their initial pair of Zawad Abrar and Rifat Beg formidably contributed to the cause with a 151-run partnership. The anchor Zawad has done the duty of playing in the anchor position by achieving the target of 96 out of 112 balls and Rifat contributed so aggressively with 62 out of 68 balls which kept the rate needed within the expected limit.
It was at the end of the innings that Afghanistan resisted and two wickets apiece by Khatir Stanikzai and Roohullah Arab caused temporary panic. Nonetheless, 47 composed Rizan Hossan with a steady unbeaten 17 by skipper Azizul Hakim led Bangladesh home with seven balls to spare.
The win also won Bangladesh some crucial initial seeds and reinstated their claim to title, despite Afghanistan receiving acclaims of taking the champions to the finish.
