Clinical Bangladesh ensure Zimbabwe finish U19 WC winless – Cricbuzz.com
Dhaka, Bangladesh – Clinical Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by 67 runs in their Group A match of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, securing a crucial victory that effectively ended Zimbabwe’s chances of progressing to the quarterfinals. The match, played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Fatullah, saw Bangladesh post a competitive total of 226 runs for the loss of six wickets, followed by a disciplined bowling and fielding performance that restricted Zimbabwe to 159 all out.
Bangladesh’s innings was anchored by a brilliant century from Rony Hossain, who top-scored with 106 off 108 balls, a knock punctuated by eight fours and two sixes. Towhid Hridoy contributed a valuable 58, while Fahim Mia Sohag added 42. The Bangladesh bowlers, led by Kamrul Islam, then stifled the Zimbabwean batting lineup, taking regular wickets and limiting the scoring opportunities.
Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing their openers early. Despite a fighting innings from Michael Campbell (62), the Zimbabwean middle order failed to build on his efforts. The Bangladesh bowlers maintained relentless pressure, exploiting the slow, turning pitch to their advantage. Tight lines and accurate lengths made it difficult for the Zimbabwean batsmen to find the boundaries, and crucial wickets at regular intervals further hampered their progress.
The key to Bangladesh’s victory was their disciplined bowling attack and their ability to maintain control throughout the innings. They successfully executed their plans, varying their pace and length to keep the Zimbabwean batsmen guessing. Zimbabwe’s batting lacked consistency and application, and they were unable to build a substantial partnership.
With this win, Bangladesh has solidified their position at the top of Group A and is now heavily favored to qualify for the quarterfinals. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle to secure a playoff spot, relying on results from other groups to go their way. The match highlighted Bangladesh’s strong batting depth and their ability to perform under pressure, while exposing Zimbabwe’s vulnerabilities in both batting and bowling.
The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, with the Bangladeshi fans providing unwavering support to their team. The victory is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Bangladeshi players and coaching staff. It also marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign, building momentum for the remaining matches.
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