U19 Asia Cup 2024: Bangladesh demolish India to clinch second title

Bangladesh won their second U19 Asia Cup title, beating India by 59 runs in the final in Dubai on December 8 (Sunday). It was a low-scoring affair, with Bangladesh batting first and being bowled out for 198 in 49.1 overs. However, they had done enough, as India could manage only 139 in 35.2 overs.

Bangladesh had a jittery start, adding 17, 24 and 25 for their first three wickets. The middle order, however, stabilised the innings. Mohammad Shihab James (40 off 67) and Rizan Hossan (47 off 65) added 62 off 81 balls for the fourth wicket. Their partnership put Bangladesh back on track to post a respectable total. 

But they slid again, losing five wickets for 39 runs, crashing from 128/3 to 167/8. Wicketkeeper-batter Farid Faysal then played a vital knock of 39 from 49 balls, stretching the total to 198. 

For India, the opening seamer, Yudhajit Guha, was the best bowler, picking 2/29 in his 9.1 overs. His bowling partner Chetan Sharma (2/48 in 10 overs) and left-arm spinner Hardik Raj (2/41 in 10 overs) were the other bowlers picking two wickets each. India conceded 17 runs in extras, including 14 wides, which, in the end, proved to be costly.  

India chased down 174 against Sri Lanka in the semi-final in only 21.4 overs. But today, they had no answers against the opposition bowling, getting bowled out for 139 in 35.2 overs. Both openers, Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, were out within the first five overs. Overall, only four Indian batters got into the double figures, with skipper Mohammad Amaan being the highest scorer with his sluggish 26 from 65 deliveries. 

Even India's highest partnership was only 29 runs — for the fourth wicket, between Amaan and Karthikeya KP.

The medium-pacer Iqbal Hasan Emon (3/24 in seven overs) and the off-spinner Azizul Hakim Tamim (3/8 in 2.2 overs) were the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh. Tamim, also the skipper of the side, came on to bowl as the sixth bowler and finished the game with the last three wickets within his first three overs, including his opposite number, Amaan. 

Winners of the previous edition in 2023, Bangladesh have now secured back-to-back U19 Asia Cup finals, their only two wins in the tournament history but also the second most after India’s tally of eight titles. Bangladesh also defeated India in the 2020 U19 World Cup final. 

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