Bangladesh lift maiden U19 Asia Cup, crush UAE in final

Bangladesh's young shatters record by clinching a comprehensive 195-run victory over UAE to lift the Under-19 Asia Cup trophy in Dubai on Sunday. The win finished off a remarkable campaign for the Bangladeshi Tigers, who remained undefeated throughout the tournament, winning all five of their matches.

Champions of Asia 🏆 👏#BCB | #Cricket | #U19 | #ACCMensU19AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/5vpQdtc3UA

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) December 17, 2023

Brilliant hundred by Ashiqur

At the heart of Bangladesh's triumph was their wicketkeeper-batsman, Ashiqur Rahman Shibli. The opener Shibli continued his blistering form and played a magnificent knock of 129 runs which came in 149 deliveries including 12 boundaries and a maximum. His knoc propelled Bangladesh total to 282/8 after UAE elected to field first.

ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2023
Bangladesh U19 Vs UAE U19 | Final

Bangladesh U19 won by 195 runs 🇧🇩 🫶

Photo Credit: CREIMAS Photography#BCB| #Cricket| #U19| #ACCMensU19AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/V3E6rqLQyi

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) December 17, 2023

Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan chipped in with a gritty 60, while Ariful Islam contributed a brisk 50. Meanwhile, Skipper Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby's late cameo of 21 off just 11 balls added the finishing touches to a commanding batting display against UAE.

The UAE bowlers struggled to contain the Bangladeshi onslaught, with Ayman Ahamed (4/52) and Omid Rehman (2/41) being the only wicket-takers of note.

Seam trio destroyed UAE batting line-up

In pursuit of 203, the UAE's chase crumbled from the very beginning. The seam trio of Maruf Mridha (3/29), Iqbal Hossain Emon (2/15), and Rohanat Doullah Borson (3/26) ripped through the UAE top order, reducing them to a hapless 61/7 within 15 overs.

Off-spinner Sheikh Paevez Jibon then tightened the screws, claiming two wickets in his economical spell of 4.5 overs, conceding just seven runs. Only Dhruv Parashar, with his lone unbeaten knock of 25, showed any semblance of resistance for UAE as they were bundled out for 87 in 24.5 overs.

ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2023
Bangladesh U19 Vs UAE U19 | Final

Ashiqur Rahaman Shibli
Player of the Final | 129 Runs & Player of the
Tournament | 378 Runs

Photo Credit: CREIMAS Photography#BCB | #Cricket | #U19 | #ACCMensU19AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/P2G1NqApbm

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) December 17, 2023

Ashiqur's brilliance throughout the tournament earned him a well-deserved 'Player of the Series'. He added 378 runs at an average of 126.00. 

Brief scores 

Bangladesh: 282/8 in 50 overs (Ashiqur Rahman Shibli 129, Chowdhury Md Rizwan 60, Ariful Islam 50; Ayman Ahamed 4/52, Omid Rehman 2/41).

UAE: 87/10 in 24.5 overs (Dhruv Parashar 25 not out; Maruf Mridha 3/29, Rohanat Doullah Borson 3/26, Sheikh Paevez Jibon 2/7) by 195 runs.