Be it in any format, the joy of defeating India is different. Be it senior or junior - at any level. This time, Bangladesh defeated India by 59 runs in the final of the Youth Asia Cup Cricket and became the champion for the second time in a row.
India won the toss and sent Bangladesh to bat at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Coming into bat, the Bangladeshi batters could not give anything good in the face of the Indian bowlers' cannon. They were all out for 198 runs in 49.1 overs.
In reply, India was also cornered in the face of the controlled bowling of the Bangladeshi bowlers. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals. In the end, the Indian youth cricket team was all out for 139 runs in 35.2 overs and the youth of Bangladesh became the champion for the second time in a row.
A year ago, in 2023, Bangladesh became the first champion of the Youth Asia Cup Cricket by defeating the host Arab Emirates at this very Dubai International Stadium.
Youth Asia Cup Cricket Final. Who will be the best in Asia? Bangladesh or India? There was tension even before the start of the match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Those who thought that India would easily chase down the modest target of 199 runs were forced to change their thoughts after Bangladesh started bowling. Bangladesh bowlers held the Indians back from the start.
In the beginning, Iqbal Hossain Emon and Al Fahad held the Indian youth team well. In that, the Indians lost 7 wickets for 92 runs.
Then captain Mohammad Aman and Hardik Raj created some problems together. They made a partnership of 23 runs. At that time, Bangladesh captain Azizul Hakim emerged as a terror for the Indians. He ensured Bangladesh's victory by taking the last three wickets.
The target in front of India for victory was only 199. It is very modest in ODIs. But after batting for this modest target, India lost Ayush Matri by 4 runs for the team. Then Vibhav Suryavanshi was out for 9 runs. The team's score was 24.
Then Andre Siddhartha scored 20 runs. KP Karthikiya was out for 21 runs. Nikhil Kumar was out for a duck. Harvans Pangalia was out for 6 runs. Kiran Charmale was out for 1 run.
Captain Mohammad Aman was out as the 8th batsman in 31.5 overs after the team scored 115 runs. He scored a maximum of 26 runs off 65 balls. Hardik Raj was out for 24 runs off 21 balls after Azizul Hakim was caught LBW. Finally, Chetan Sharma was out for 10 runs off 12 balls after Azizul Hakim was caught by Kalam Siddiqui. Bangladesh cricketers were jubilant with the joy of becoming champions.
Azizul Hakim, Iqbal Hossain Emon took 3 wickets each. Al Fahad took 2 wickets. Maruf Mridha, Rizan Hasan took 1 wicket each.
Earlier, after losing the toss and opting to bat, Bangladesh batsmen could not make a big score. The Junior Tigers scored 198 runs before being all out in 49.1 overs. Rizan Hasan top-scored with 47 runs. Mohammad Shihab James scored 40 runs. Farid Hasan scored 39 runs. Jawad Abrar scored 20 runs.