Ariful Islam’s century could not save Bangladesh from suffering defeat in the seven and eighth place deciding match against South Africa in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup on Saturday.
After the defeat the defending champion Bangladesh, finished their ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup on eighth place when they could managed only two wins in the competition at the group stage.
Bangladesh, who went to West Indies with a high hope to win the title second time in row but their dismal performance shattered the dream as they able to win only two out of six matches.
Their two victories were against the minnows when they defeated Canada and UAE in the group stage but went down to England (group stage), India (quarterfinal), Pakistan (fifth place) and South Africa (seventh and eighth place deciding match).
Bangladesh young tigers could not even make any close contest against big teams when they went down to England by seven wickets, eliminated from the quarterfinal conceding five wickets defeat to India, in the fifth and sixth place deciding match suffered six wickets defeat to Pakistan.
Though in the seventh and eighth place deciding match could show some batting display riding Ariful’s ton with making 293 runs but failed to win the match, despite went closer with taking eight wickets and South Africa won by two wickets.
Ariful notched his back to back century to steer Bangladesh to a challenging total of 293 runs but the century went in vain when his counterpart Dewald Brevis’s wonderful form with hitting a ton helped to propel South Africa to reach the goal.
Dewald Brevis’s, the South African young batters, who is now the holder the record of most runs scored in ICC Under-19 World Cup leaving behind India Shekhar Dhawan smacked 138 runs off 130 balls to help his team to chase a big total.
Meanwhile, ESPNcricinfo reports, Riding on captain Qasim Akram's all-round heroics, Pakistan thrashed Sri Lanka by 238 runs to win fifth place at the Under-19 World Cup on Thursday. The 19-year old became the first player in the 45-year history of Youth ODIs to hit a century and pick up a five-wicket haul in the same game.
Pakistan posted a massive 365 for 3, courtesy Qasim's 80-ball 135, opener Haseebullah Khan's 151-ball 136 and Muhammad Shehzad's 69-ball 73.
Coming in at No. 3, the captain shared a 229-run stand with Haseebullah after the 134-run opening stand was broken by Raveen de Silva.
With his offspin, Qasim (5 for 37) broke through the Sri Lanka line-up to leave them reeling at 41 for 5 and they never recovered. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 127 with No. 9 Vinuja Ranpul top-scoring with an unbeaten 53 off 58 balls.
Qasim's talent is well known in Pakistan circles. The teenager generated a lot of interest among not one but two champion teams at the PSL. Islamabad United had him on their wish list but in the end, he went to Karachi Kings, where he will be joining the senior national captain Babar Azam.
