Bangladesh stun defending champs South Africa

Hosts inflict 43-run defeat in ICC U19 World Cup opener

KARACHI: Hosts Bangladesh asserted their credentials for the International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 World Cup crown when they stunned South Africa by inflicting a 43-run defeat in the opener at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Wednesday.

Bangladesh put up a fighting total of 240-7 after opting to bat first as man of the match Nazmul Hossain Shanto made life terrible for the South African bowlers as he smashed three sixes and four fours in his gutsy 82-ball 73-run knock, while Pinyak Ghosh (43) and Joyraz Sheik (46) also chipped in with significant knocks at the top of the order.

Wiaan Mulder was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa as he took three wickets.



In reply, Liam Smith was the only South African batsman to come out of the encounter with his head held high as he hit six sixes and as many fours in his 146-ball 100-run stand while all other batsmen kept falling at regular intervals — only three managed to reach double figures. South Africa were able to reach 197 in 48.4 overs before running out of wickets.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Saifuddin claimed three scalps each, while Saeed Sarkar and Saleh Ahmed Shawon took two wickets apiece.



Lawrence, Burnham hit centuries in Fiji demolition

Centurions Dan Lawrence and Jack Burnham put up a 303-run second-wicket stand as England demolished minnows Fiji by 299 runs in their U19 World Cup match in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Batting first, England amassed 371 for three in their 50 overs. Lawrence top-scored with 174 which came off 150 balls as he hit a lone six and 25 boundaries while his partner-in-demolition, Burnham, made a 137-ball 148 laced with four sixes and 19 boundaries.



In reply, Fiji were bundled out for a mere 72 in 27.3 overs as Saqib Mahmood and Sam Curran picked up three wickets apiece.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th,  2016.

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