Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’s ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign ended yesterday pretty much the same way it began.
The hosts’ batting woes continued to dog them as they fell to a 74-run loss to Bangladesh at Harare Sports Club, sending their loyal legion of fans home disappointed.
The Young Chevrons flattered to deceive as they put in quite the shift in the field to restrict Bangladesh to 253 runs, but failed to cross the line when they were skittled out for just 179 runs. Zimbabwe put up a near-perfect performance in the field as Bangladesh staggered to 253 runs for nine after winning the toss and electing to bat.
For a huge chunk of the innings, the hosts were in full control as Michael Blignaut, Tatenda Chimugoro and Shelton Mazvitorera pegged them back every time the Asians tried to get going with the bat.
The trio took two wickets each, with Blignaut and Mazvitorera the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers, with figures of two for 41 and two for 44 runs, respectively
Zimbabwe looked lively in the field, taking some blinders for catches and skipper Simbarashe Mudzengerere showing some foresight to run out opener Zawad Abrar for his 25 runs off 48 balls and give the hosts their second wicket of the day.
It took a well-constructed 59 runs off 87 balls from the Bangladesh skipper, Azizul Hakim, and a little indiscipline from the Zimbabwe bowlers for the Asians to cross the 250-mark. The extras count was a bit on the high side too as Zimbabwe gave away 18 runs, namely, two byes, one leg bye and as many as 15 wides.
The fact that 15-year-old Webster Madhidhi leaked 22 runs off Bangladesh’s final over of their innings did not help matters either.
Still, Bangladesh deserve credit for their spirited effort with the bat, in particular skipper Hakim and Rizan Hossan. The two even combined to pile 73 runs off 87 balls in a fourth-wicket stand that kept the Asians in the game.
While the skipper top-scored with his 59 runs off 87 balls, Hossan chipped in with 47 runs off 68 balls.
The duo of opener Abrar and Al Fahad had brief cameos, chipping in 25 runs and an unbeaten 23 runs off 13 balls.
With 253 runs as the target, the hosts got off to the worst possible start, losing three early inside the first six overs of the chase.
Wicketkeeper/batter Kupakwashe Muradzi was the first to go as he was caught by Samiun Basir off the bowling of Iqbal Hossain Emon for his five-ball duck.
His opening partner, Nathaniel Hlabangana, did not last long either and was bowled out by Emon for four runs off 12 balls.
Kian Blignaut (1) continued his struggles with the bat after he was caught behind by Md Abdullah off the bowling of Fahad.
Wickets fell at regular intervals during Zimbabwe’s chase, with the hosts failing to construct a proper partnership.
The duo of skipper Mudzengerere and Mazvitorera did fight back with a half-century and an unbeaten 42 runs off 42 balls, respectively.
They even combined for a 64-run ninth-wicket partnership, breaking Ian Engelbrecht and Dion Ebrahim’s 58-run stand in Youth One-Day Internationals.
Mudzengerere went on to top-score for Zimbabwe with 70 runs off 121 balls, while Mazvitorera chipped in with his run-a-ball 42.
Their innings ended as Zimbabwe’s only bright spot as seven batters failed to reach double-digit figures, while an additional two could not convert their starts.
Iqbal Hossain Emon’s five-for did most of the damage as the Bangladeshi bowler also wrote his name in the history books.
The 19-year-old now has the most five-fors (3) for Bangladesh in Youth One-Day Internationals.
He finished the pick of Bangladesh’s bowlers with five wickets for 24 runs, while Fahad chipped in with two for 39 runs.
Hakim and Abrar ended a scalp each.
Still, the show must go on.
And, England and Afghanistan sealed their passage to the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup clinically, brushing aside New Zealand and Ireland respectively on Friday.
A five-wicket haul from Manny Lumsden helped England bowl New Zealand out for 169 in pursuit of 235, while Faisal Shinozada’s 163 off 142 balls led Afghanistan to a 191-run dismantling of Ireland.
The two, England and Afghanistan, have since joined Australia into the knock-out stage.
The fourth and final team will be decided today in a winner-takes-all tie between India and Pakistan at Queens Sports Club.
India are better-placed with six points and a net run rate of 3.337 as compared to Pakistan’s four and 1.484.
However, Pakistan can flip it around with a big win similar to the two teams’ last meeting at the Asia Under-19 Cup just before the World Cup in December.
Pakistan ran claimed a 191 runs win.
Unfortunately, The Net Run Rate (NRR) gulf looks huge, but it isn’t as large as it appears to be.
Among the scenarios in play, should Pakistan bat first and score 300, they will need to win by 85 runs to surpass India.
If they bowl first and restrict India to 200, they will need to reach the target in around 31.5 overs.
In a scenario that the target is 251, they will need to get there in roughly 33.2 overs.
