Cricket news round-up – February 10: Bangladesh lift Under-19 World Cup

Bangladesh won their first ever Under-19 World Cup. Australia Women booked the place in the final of the Tri-Nation T20 tournament. Naseem Shah’s hattrick made things stronger for Pakistan in the Rawalpindi Test.

Bangladesh win Under-19 World Cup

The rain-curtailed Under-19 World Cup final saw Bangladesh winning their first cricket World Cup at any level. Batting first India could score 177 runs in 47.2 overs out of which Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 88. Apart from Jaiswal only two Indian batsmen could reach double digits, Tilak Verma (38) and Dhruv Jurel (22). Indians lost their last five wickets for just nine runs. Avishek Das took three wickets while Shoriful Islam and Tanzim Hasan Sakib had two each.

In reply, Parvez Hossain Emon (47) and the captain Akbar Ali (43*) chased it down for Bangladesh. At a point, it was a matter of mind game between the two teams. Indians had to take the remaining three wickets of Bangladesh to win the match and Akbar Ali kept frustrating the Indian bowlers. Rain in the 42^nd over of Bangladesh innings forced to end the match and Bangladesh won by three wickets in D/L method with 23 balls remaining. Kartik Tyagi (10-2-33-0) remained wicketless although Ravi Bishnoi had a good day with 4/30 to his name.

Australia Women to face India in Tri-Nation T20 final

Australia Women beat England Women by 16 runs in the final group stage match of Tri-Nation T20 tournament. Thanks to this win and their NRR they finished first and qualified for the final along with India Women who were second thanks to slightly better net run-rate again than England Woman.

Sent to bat first Australia posted 132/7 based on a 50 from Beth Mooney. Rachael Haynes also made a significant contribution of 24. During the chase, England kept losing wickets at regular intervals and despite 23 from Katherine Brunt and the same score from Laura Winfield gave them some hope, eventually, it was beyond their reach. For Australia, Sophie Molineux took 3/19.

South Africa Women take lead

South Africa Women won the third match of the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand Women to make the series score 2-1. New Zealand Women batted first and Sophie Devine continued her great form. Her 77 was the key contribution that took the Kiwis to 153/5. For South Africa, Women Ayabonga Khaka and Sunn Luus picked up two wickets apiece.

South Africa Women were behind in the chase till the 15^th over but a responsible 42 from the captain Dane van Niekerk and a blistering 16-ball 34 from Chloe Tryon took them to victory with just one ball to spare and made sure the series is still alive.

England level the series

England won the third ODI against South Africa as the 3-match series ended 1-1 with one match being abandoned. Asked to bat first, South Africa posted 256/7. Thanks to their captain Quinton de Kock who continued his good form and scored 69 at the top. Experienced David Miller also contributed unbeaten 69 to provide the finishing push. For England, leg spinner Adil Rashid picked up 3/51.

England started their chase in blistering pace as the openers raced to 60 in the first six overs. They lost three quick wickets in the next six but key contributions from Joe Root (49), Joe Denly (66), and Tom Banton (32) ensured that they win the match with 40 balls to spare. For South Africa, both Lungi Ngidi and Beuran Hendricks got three wickets each.

Pakistan in strong position in Rawalpindi Test

Pakistan moved to a very strong position in the Rawalpindi Test after a second innings hattrick from the young Naseem Shah. Pakistan started the day on 342/3 and reached 445 before getting bowled out. Sohail Harris contributed 75 as both the overnight batsmen did not score many. For Bangladesh Abu Jayed picked up 3/86 and Rubel Hossain got 3/113.

Bangladesh started their second innings with a deficit of 212 runs and lost their openers early. There was a 71-run partnership between Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) and the captain Mominul Haque (38*) but a brilliant hattrick by Shah in the 41^st over pegged them back. They lost another wicket before the end of days play and will start the fourth day on 126/6, still 86 run behind to make Pakistan bat again.