Ariful Islam hammered a brilliant 90 ball-94 as Bangladesh sealed a spot in the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup, securing a four-wicket win over mighty India at ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai on Friday.
Thanks to pacer Maruf Mridha's 4-41, Bangladesh bowled India out for just 188 in 42.4 overs but India had Bangladesh wobbled at 34-3 before Ariful's sensible knock became instrumental in helping the side overhaul the target in 42.5 overs.
Bangladesh will take on United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final of youth Asia Cup on Sunday. UAE stunned Pakistan Under-19 team in the other semifinal by 11 runs today to confirm the final.
Ariful got ably support from Ahrar Amin as they shared a 138-run partnership for the fourth wicket to edge the side closer to victory.
As he closed in on century, medium pacer Raj Limbani had Ariful caught by Shahran to deny him the century by six runs. But Ariful who smashed nine fours and four sixes, including three sixes in an over of Saumy Pandey by then kept the side's nose ahead.
Ahrar Amin played a laborious 44 off 101 with three fours and was out when Bangladesh was just two runs away from the victory.
Earlier being sent to bat first, India were strangled by Maruf and were reduced to 61-6. Murugan Abhishek and Musheer Khan added 84-run for the seventh wicket to help the side recover from the ultimate shamble.
Abhishek hit 74 ball-62 with six fours and two sixes while Musheer made 50 off 61, sending the ball across the ropes for three times.
Source: BSS