Bangladesh finish third in U-19 World Cup

Fatullah (Bangladesh), Feb 13. Hosts Bangladesh squeezed past Sri Lanka with three deliveries to spare to take third place in the ICC Under-19 cricket World Cup with a three-wicket win at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium here on Saturday.

Having bowled Sri Lanka out for 214, Bangladesh survived a mid-innings crisis that resulted in three run-outs before Jaker Ali hit the winning boundary off seamer Lahiru Kumara.

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan followed his three-wicket haul with a top-score of 53 and was later adjudged the Player of the Match. Nazmul Hossain made 40 and Jaker, who was forced to retire with cramps, returned to the crease and remained unbeaten on 31.

In Sunday's final, three-time champions India will clash with the West Indies in Mirpur.

Sri Lanka, beaten by India in the semi-final, made a sound start as openers Kamindu Mendis (26) and Salindu Ushan (34) put on 60 for the first wicket in 12 overs. But Bangladesh hit back to grab three wickets in the space of 10 runs before skipper Charith Asalanka and Wanidu Hasaranga revived the innings with a 55-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Hasaranga fell for 30 while Asalanka was ninth out after top-scoring with 76 with the help of six boundaries and a six. Off-spinner Mehidy finished with 3/28. Mohammad Saifuddin and Abdul Haleem picked up two wickets each.

Bangladesh, looking to bounce back after the semi-final loss to the West Indies, lost opener Zakir Hasan in the first over bowled by Asitha Fernando. The home team's run-chase was hampered by the run-outs of their two main batsmen, Mehidy and Nazmul, before all-rounder Saifuddin also fell in similar fashion.

Needing 15 off the last two overs, Bangladesh took 11 runs in Fernando's penultimate over to ease the pressure before Jaker and Mehedi Rana carried their team past the victory target.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 214 all out in 48.5 overs (Charith Asalanka 76, Salindu Ushan 34, Wanidu Hasaranga 30; Mehidy Hasan 3/28, Mohammad Saifuddin 2/48, Abdul Haleem 2/26) lost to Bangladesh 218/7 in 49.3 overs (Mehidy Hasan 53, Nazmul Hossain 40, Jaker Ali 27 not out; Shammu Ashan 2/39).

Agency