Phew! A game that had it all - rain, thrilling moments, and calmness under pressure, and in the end, it is India Under-19 who make it two wins in a row, while Bangladesh Under-19 begin their campaign with a defeat but plenty of positives to take away. It does not get any easier for them, though, as they face New Zealand U-19 in their next game on Tuesday, 20 January. India, meanwhile, have a week off before returning to action on Saturday, 24 January, against the Kiwis as well. Both matches will start at 7.30 am GMT (1.00 pm IST), and as always, you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye.
Ayush Mhatre, the victorious skipper of India Under-19, starts off by praising Kundu and Vaibhav for their good batting, but emphasizes that other batters need to step up and contribute as well. He describes the track as sticky, especially in the back of a length area, but praises Kundu and Vaibhav for batting well on it. Ayush shows off his cap, which is signed by all his teammates, and explains that wearing it gives him motivation and boosts his morale. He mentions that during the rain break, the team had a strong belief in themselves and trusted each other to defend the total. This confidence and team unity seemed to be a key factor in their success.
Azizul Hakim Tamim, the captain of Bangladesh Under-19, says that it is disappointing. Adds that a few dropped chances in the field, and then DLS came into play, but it is all about learning. Mentions that he is very happy with the bowling performance of Al Fahad, who took a fifer. Says that it went wrong when he played that shot, and it was caught. Tells that it was a nice game for him, but he would have liked to be on the winning side. Ends by saying that whenever they play against India, there is intensity and they are a good team, but now he is looking forward to the next game.
Vihaan Malhotra is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his game-changing spell of bowling. He starts off by describing the match as a nerve-breaker but is relieved that his team emerged victorious in the end. He mentions that the discussion before the crucial phase was simple, with the team believing they could defend the target from Bangladesh's position at 90/2. Vihaan talks about his impressive spell of 4/14, saying that he backed himself and his skills, particularly his ability to mix up his yorkers effectively. He views playing games like this as a great opportunity and acknowledges that such moments are what make the sport special.
Presentation Time...
Earlier in the game, India Under-19 posted a competitive total, built around a pair of excellent half-centuries from Abhigyan Kundu and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, along with useful contributions from Kanishk Chouhan. Al Fahad was the standout bowler for Bangladesh Under-19 with a superb five-wicket haul, while Iqbal Hossain and Azizul Hakim Tamim shared four wickets between them, and Sheikh Parvez Jibon chipped in with one. However, a few dropped chances in the field may well have cost them the game.
For India Under-19, D. Deepesh struck early, but they struggled for a while to contain the batters before Kanishk Chouhan broke the key partnership ahead of the rain delay. With 165 runs to defend in 29 overs, India showed immense calm under pressure, and when Ayush Mhatre turned to Vihaan Malhotra, the game changed completely. Malhotra ran through the middle order with a superb 4/14 in four overs, leaving Bangladesh in tatters, and then capped it off with a stunning catch to seal the win.
Despite losing an early wicket, Bangladesh Under-19 recovered through a 56-run partnership between Rifat Beg and skipper Azizul Hakim Tamim and were comfortably placed at 90/2 when rain arrived. After the restart, they were ahead of the DLS target and remained so as light drizzle continued. However, once conditions improved, they lost their nerve, chasing big shots despite a modest asking rate. Tamim’s composed fifty kept them in the hunt, but with wickets falling regularly, Bangladesh fell short by 18 runs.
How did Bangladesh Under-19 lose this one? Well, that is exactly why they say the team that holds its nerve under pressure gets over the line. For this young Bangladesh side, it is a learning phase and a perfect platform to get better in the future. As for India Under-19, they were nowhere near a winning position after the resumption, but they showed incredible fight and character to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Henil Patel to Iqbal Hossain, OUT! c Vihaan Malhotra b Henil Patel.OUT! TAKEN! GAME. SET. MATCH. The athleticism is just spot on, and who else, it is the man of the moment, Vihaan Malhotra, who takes an exceptional catch to wrap the game up. A bit slower and fuller, around the sixth stump. Iqbal Hossain plants his front foot toward the leg side and leans forward to heave it across the line, but only manages to get the toe end of the bat. The ball flies toward the wide long on region. Vihaan Malhotra is standing much ahead of the boundary line, so he runs to his right, leaps up, scoops the catch over his head, and rolls on his back for a safe landing. This is simply outstanding. India Under-19 beat Bangladesh Under-19 by 18 runs (DLS method).
Henil Patel to Iqbal Hossain, No run.Swing and a miss! Short of a length and around off, Iqbal Hossain looks to pull it away but fails to connect. 19 needed in 4 now. Every ball needs to go to the fence or over it now.
Henil Patel to Iqbal Hossain, No run.A yorker to start off the final ball. Iqbal Hossain looks for the reverse scoop but misses.
Bangladesh Under-19 need 19 runs in the last over with one wicket in hand. Here comes Henil Patel to try to defend it.
Vihaan Malhotra to Iqbal Hossain, 1 run.Full and outside off, Iqbal Hossain drives it to deep cover for a single.
Vihaan Malhotra to Iqbal Hossain, No run.Full toss, well outside off, Iqbal Hossain looks to drills it through cover but gets a thick outside edge onto short third.
Vihaan Malhotra to Saad Islam Razin, 1 run.Yorker, on off, Saad Islam Razin looks to flick but gets a slight inside edge and thumps on the pad. The ball rolls toward short fine leg and gets a single.
Rizan Hossan has been asked to wait. The umpires want to check whether the keeper, Abhigyan Kundu, got his gloves in front of the stumps before the batter played his shot. The replay shows that he is fine, and India Under-19 and Rizan has to walk back. Saad Islam Razin is the last man in for Bangladesh Under-19.
Vihaan Malhotra to Rizan Hossan, OUT! c Henil Patel b Vihaan Malhotra.OUT! TAKEN! Another wicket down and India are just one wicket away from sealing off the victory! This is slower through the air again from Vihaan Malhotra, initially aims to bowl the yorker, but spills out and offers a low full toss. Hossan looks to lash it downtown, but gets a thick outside edge. The ball loops toward the deep cover region, where Henil Patel reverse scoops the catch. The Indian players are all pumped up as they know Rizan was the last hope for Bangladesh.
Vihaan Malhotra to Iqbal Hossain, 1 run.Yorker, outside off, Iqbal Hossain works to the leg side for a single.
Into the tail now. Iqbal Hossain comes out to the middle now.
Vihaan Malhotra to Al Fahad, OUT! run out (Vedant Trivedi / Abhigyan Kundu).OUT! FAHAD IS RUN OUT! Short of a length, around the sixth stump. Al Fahad steers it toward wide of short third, but Vedant Trivedi is quick to move to his left. Fahad sets off early to take the single, but Rizan Hossan rejects it a bit late. Fahad scoots back to his home and drags his bat, but Kundu does well to collect the throw and break the stumps. The decision has been sent upstairs, where the third umpire sees that Fahad is just an inch away from the crease when Kundu dislodges the stumps.
Khilan A. Patel to Rizan Hossan, Four!FOUR! That's an outstanding shot from Hossan! Tossed up, fuller, outside off, Rizan Hossan makes room and drills it through cover for four runs.
Khilan A. Patel to Al Fahad, Leg bye.Fuller, angling in, down the leg side, Al Fahad looks to flick it but misses and thumps the pad. The ball rolls toward the square leg and gets a leg bye.
Bangladesh Under-19 are digging a hole for themselves. Al Fahad walks out to bat now.
Khilan A. Patel to Farid Hasan Faysal, OUT! c D. Deepesh b Khilan A. Patel.OUT! TAKEN! Khilan A. Patel gets his second and India Under-19 are slowly edging towards the win here. This is slower through the air, fuller, on middle. Farid Hasan Faysal gets down, takes it on the full to scoop it, but as there is no real pace behind the ball, he gets no power. The ball loops toward in front of D. Deepesh in the short fine leg region. He takes a step forward and dives to take the catch. Bangladesh Under-19 are 138/7 now.
Khilan A. Patel to Rizan Hossan, 1 run.Fuller, on middle, Rizan Hossan flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.
Khilan A. Patel to Rizan Hossan, Four!FOUR! Excellent shot that is! Much fuller, on middle and off, Rifat Beg shimmies down the track and lofts it using his bottom hand toward the right of the long off fielder for four runs. That's a much needed boundary.
Khilan A. Patel to Rizan Hossan, 2 runs.Full toss, outside off, Rizan Hossan mistimes his drive to wide of long off for a brace.
Vihaan Malhotra to Farid Hasan Faysal, No run.Yorker again, wide outside off, Farid Hasan Faysal misses his jam on the outside edge.
Vihaan Malhotra to Farid Hasan Faysal, No run.Yorker, just outside off, Farid Hasan Faysal looks to dig it away and gets beaten on the outside edge.
Vihaan Malhotra to Rizan Hossan, 1 run.Much fuller, outside off, Rizan Hossan pushes it to deep point for a single.
Vihaan Malhotra to Farid Hasan Faysal, 1 run.Full, outside off, Farid Hasan Faysal drives it to deep cover for a single.
Vihaan Malhotra to Samiun Basir Ratul, OUT! c Vaibhav Sooryavanshi b Vihaan Malhotra.OUT! TAKEN! That's what composure is. This is tossed up, fuller, on off. Samiun Basir Ratul clears his front foot and looks to hit it over the head of the bowler, but does not go through with the shot fully as it flies towards long off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, standing just in front of the boundary ropes, takes it just over his head, and as he realizes the momentum is taking him over the ropes, he loops the ball, takes a step out, and gets back on the field of play to take the catch. The third umpire has a long check and agrees that it is a legitimate catch after taking his time, checking different angles.
Farid Hasan Faysal comes out to the middle now. DLS par at the moment is 135, so Bangladesh Under-19 are behind that for the first time in this chase.
Is that a clean catch? Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken a relay catch near the ropes and looks confident, but the umpires want to make sure it is fair. The replay shows that his foot is very close to the ropes before he goes over, but after watching it from different angles, the third umpire deems that it has not touched the ropes. Out flashes on the big screen, much to the delight of the Indians.
Vihaan Malhotra to Samiun Basir Ratul, No run.Fuller, on middle, Samiun Basir Ratul gets down on one knee and looks to slog sweep but gets the inside edge and hits on his back thigh pad.
Khilan A. Patel to Samiun Basir Ratul, 1 run.A yorker, on off, Samiun Basir Ratul jams it out towards extra cover for one.
Khilan A. Patel to Samiun Basir Ratul, No run.Floated, full and on middle, Samiun Basir Ratul knocks it to the left of the bowler. Khilan A. Patel runs to his left and dives to stop the run.
Khilan A. Patel to Rizan Hossan, 1 run.Low full toss, on middle, Rizan Hossan forces it to long on for a run.
Khilan A. Patel to Samiun Basir Ratul, 1 run.Quicker, full and on leg, Samiun Basir Ratul drills it to long on for a run.
Samiun Basir Ratul is the new man on the crease. DLS par score 125 at the moment.
Khilan A. Patel to Azizul Hakim Tamim, OUT! c Kanishk Chouhan b Khilan A. Patel.OUT! TAKEN! Khilan A. Patel gets the big fish, and we can say that India Under-19 are on top now. This is a full toss, on middle. Azizul Hakim Tamim sees this as a scoring opportunity and tries to slog it away but gets it more from the bottom half of the bat. He gets no timing at all as it flies straight to long on, where Kanishk Chouhan takes another good catch under pressure. Huge celebration in the Indian camp, and we can see from their emotions how important this wicket is for them. Tamim goes back after a fighting fifty, and Bangladesh Under-19 lose half their side now.
Khilan A. Patel to Rizan Hossan, 1 run.Flatter, full and on leg, Rizan Hossan drives it to long on for a single.
Vihaan Malhotra to Rizan Hossan, 1 run.Slows it up, full and on off, Rizan Hossan eases it to long on for one.
The batter to come out is Rizan Hossan. DLS par score is 119 at the moment, so Bangla area are ahead
Vihaan Malhotra to Sheikh Parvez Jibon, OUT! c Kanishk Chouhan b Vihaan Malhotra.OUT! TAKEN! Vihaan Malhotra is turning this game around here. He flights this up, full and around off. Sheikh Parvez Jibon decides to take it on and goes for the big slog down the ground. However, he goes a bit too hard and loses his shape and gets more height than distance. It goes high in the air towards long on, where Kanishk Chouhan settles under it nicely and pouches it safely. Bangladesh Under-19 are 124/4, still needing 41 runs in 31 balls.
Vihaan Malhotra to Sheikh Parvez Jibon, No run.Darts in a yorker, on off, Sheikh Parvez Jibon bunts it back to the bowler.
Vihaan Malhotra to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.Dragged back, on middle, Azizul Hakim Tamim nudges it through square leg for a run. Jibon wants the second but is sent back just in time.
Vihaan Malhotra to Sheikh Parvez Jibon, 3 runs.Flatter, short and around off, Sheikh Parvez Jibon tries to pull it away but gets a top edge that races past short third. Harvansh Singh chases after it and slides to collect it. He gets rid of the ball before sliding over the ropes. Saves one run for his team as the replay confirms it as well.
Vihaan Malhotra to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.FIFTY FOR TAMIM! An excellent knock and the skipper is leading from the front for Bangladesh Under-19 here. Tossed up, full and on off, Azizul Hakim Tamim pushes it through covers for a single. No real celebration as he knows that the job is not done yet.
Khilan A. Patel to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.Goes short and around off, Azizul Hakim Tamim guides it towards short third for a quick run. The fielder decides not to throw the ball. 46 needed in 36 balls now.
Khilan A. Patel to Sheikh Parvez Jibon, 1 run.Flighted, full and on off, Sheikh Parvez Jibon thumps it down the ground wide of long off. Kanishk Chouhan runs to his right and slides to make a fine stop. Just one.
Khilan A. Patel to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.Fires in a yorker, on off, Azizul Hakim Tamim jams it out to long on for a run.
Khilan A. Patel to Azizul Hakim Tamim, Six!SIX! Oh..that will ease the nerves for Bangladesh Under-19! Tossed up, full and around off. Azizul Hakim Tamim gets down on one knee, extends his arms to get under it and dispatches it over the long off fence for a biggie.
Khilan A. Patel to Sheikh Parvez Jibon, 1 run.Floated, full and on middle, Sheikh Parvez Jibon drills it to long on for a run.
Khilan A. Patel to Sheikh Parvez Jibon, No run.Tossed up, full and on leg, Sheikh Parvez Jibon backs away and drives it but fails to beat short extra cover.
Vihaan Malhotra to Sheikh Parvez Jibon, 1 run.Dragged back and on off, Sheikh Parvez Jibon forces it down to long off for one more.
Vihaan Malhotra to Sheikh Parvez Jibon, No run.Flighted, full and on off, Sheikh Parvez Jibon drills it hard but straight to short cover.
Vihaan Malhotra to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.Pushed through quicker, short and on off, Azizul Hakim Tamim stays back and steers it towards short third for a quick run.
Vihaan Malhotra to Sheikh Parvez Jibon, 1 run.Short and around off, Sheikh Parvez Jibon punches it through covers for a single.
The vice captain strikes! Sheikh Parvez Jibon comes out next.
Vihaan Malhotra to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, OUT! c & b Vihaan Malhotra.OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! An inspired bowling change, and the vice-captain of India Under-19 gets the breakthrough here. This is quicker and a touch shorter, on middle. Kalam Siddiki Aleen rocks back to pull it away, but gets hurried as this is not that short. He ends up mistiming it off the top edge, high in the air. Vihaan Malhotra himself calls for it, moves to his right to settle under it, and takes a fine catch under pressure. Aleen walks back for 15 off 23, and Bangladesh Under-19 are 106/3, still needing 59 runs in 46 balls.
Vihaan Malhotra to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, No run.Flatter, full and outside off, skids through, Kalam Siddiki Aleen tries to reach out and guides it away but misses.
Change! Vihaan Malhotra has been introduced into the attack.
Khilan A. Patel to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Kalam Siddiki Aleen uses his feet and swipes it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Just 4 runs off the over. Tidy stuff!
Khilan A. Patel to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, No run.Flighted, full and on off, Kalam Siddiki Aleen drives it straight to short cover. Three dots now. Pressure building!
Khilan A. Patel to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, No run.Short again and on middle, Kalam Siddiki Aleen pats it back to the bowler.
Khilan A. Patel to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, No run.Quicker, short and on off, Kalam Siddiki Aleen opens the face of his bat and steers it to backward point.
Khilan A. Patel to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.Flatter, full and on middle, Azizul Hakim Tamim clips it through mid-wicket for a run. Calls for the second, but the fielder is quick to keep it to one.
Khilan A. Patel to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 2 runs.Floated, full and on middle, Azizul Hakim Tamim goes down on one knee and slogs sweeps it to the deep mid-wicket fence. It lands on the heavy outfield and slows down and the fielder from deep square gets across to collect it. Two taken.
We will have a result in this game, no matter what happens now as 20 overs have been bowled. Also, India Under-19 have been given a warning for time wasting. Bangladesh Under-19 need 63 runs off 54 balls. Khilan A. Patel joins the attack now.
R.S. Ambrish to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.On a length, outside off, Azizul Hakim Tamim steers it to deep third for a single.
R.S. Ambrish to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, 1 run.On a length, outside off, Kalam Siddiki Aleen taps it to backward point for a single.
The rain has eased up now. The Bangladesh Under-19 camp are cheer and clapping for every run here.
R.S. Ambrish to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, Four!FOUR! Easy pickings for Kalam Siddiki Aleen! The Bangladesh camp is buzzing loudly. This is fuller, around the pads of the batter, angling in. Kalam Siddiki Aleen rolls his wrists and flicks it through backward square leg for four runs.
R.S. Ambrish to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, No run.Yorker, on off, Kalam Siddiki Aleen jams it to mid off.
R.S. Ambrish to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.On a length, outside off, Azizul Hakim Tamim opens the face of the bat toward deep backward point for a single.
R.S. Ambrish to Azizul Hakim Tamim, No run.Fuller, just outside off, Azizul Hakim Tamim drives it to cover.
The DLS par score after 20th over is 82 if Bangladesh Under-19 don't lose a wicket, so they are well ahead of that. It continues to drizzle as well. Also, R.S. Ambrish comes into the attack.
Kanishk Chouhan to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, No run.Short, just outside off, Kalam Siddiki Aleen looks to push it but gets the thick outside edge. The ball rolls to the left of short third. Aleen sets off for a single, but Tamim shouts 'NO' loudly.
Kanishk Chouhan to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, No run.Tad short, again, on off, turning in, Kalam Siddiki Aleen hangs back and blocks it to cover.
Kanishk Chouhan to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, No run.A touch fuller, outside off, Kalam Siddiki Aleen goes deep into the crease and defends it down, but the ball evades the outside edge and beats the batter.
Kanishk Chouhan to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.Short, just outside off, Azizul Hakim Tamim stays back and punches it from his back foot toward cover for a single.
Kanishk Chouhan to Azizul Hakim Tamim, No run.Short, on off, Azizul Hakim Tamim pats it to cover.
Kanishk Chouhan to Azizul Hakim Tamim, No run.Fuller, on off, Azizul Hakim Tamim pushes it to cover. The ball is staying low as the pitch is getting wet.
It has started to drizzle again. However, the umpires are still out there, and we still need to get 2 more overs to constitute a game. India Under-19 brings on a spinner as Kanishk Chouhan will bowl now. Maybe a pacer would have been a better choice with all the rain around.
D. Deepesh to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.On a hard length, angling outside off, Azizul Hakim Tamim frees his arm and slaps it to deep cover for a single.
D. Deepesh to Azizul Hakim Tamim, No run.Back of a length, on middle, Azizul Hakim Tamim gets on the toes and defends it down.
D. Deepesh to Azizul Hakim Tamim, Wide!WIDE! Much fuller, angling wide outside off, beyond the tramline. Azizul Hakim Tamim makes a leave at it to get the bonus run.
D. Deepesh to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, 1 run.Back of a length, on off, Kalam Siddiki Aleen tucks it to square leg for another single.
D. Deepesh to Azizul Hakim Tamim, 1 run.D. Deepesh steams over the wicket, back of a length, on leg, Azizul Hakim Tamim hops and tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.
We are back again! The players are already out in the middle now. Azizul Hakim Tamim and Kalam Siddiki Aleen will resume batting for Bangladesh Under-19. D. Deepesh will complete his unfinished over. Let's go...
UPDATE - We have a RESTART TIME, folks! The game will get underway at 3.30 pm GMT (9 pm IST). It has been reduced to 29 overs, and the revised target for Bangladesh Under-19 on DLS is 165 runs. Credit to the groundstaff for working tirelessly to make this ground ready for play again. There will be still some damp areas in the outfleld whih will make it tough for the players but at least, we are about to see some more cricket.
UPDATE - 3.03 pm GMT (8.33 pm IST) - The news from the centre is that there will be another inspection at 3.15 pm GMT (8.45 pm IST). However, we still need 2.4 overs to confirm a result in this game, as 20 overs are needed to be bowled in the second innings of ODIs to achieve that. The DLS par score after 20 overs is 77, so Bangladesh Under-19 are ahead on that, and it will be very disappointing for them if they have to share the spoils here. Also, the cut-off time for this game to happen is 4.10 pm GMT (9.40 pm IST), so we still have some time on our hands. Fingers Crossed!
UPDATE - 2.44 pm GMT (8.14 pm IST) - There are many wet patches on the ground, and the grounds men are working actively to improve the conditions with the Super-Soppers. It seems it would take some time, although the rain has stopped, and let's hope the Rain Gods are done with today. Stay tuned for more updates.
UPDATE - 2.25 pm GMT (7.55 pm IST) - Good news! The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off! The umpires are checking the conditions of the ground. The grounds men are working hard to clear the water puddles.
Uh...oh! The drizzle is back on here in Bulawayo, and it is hard enough for the umpires to call for the covers. The ground staff are running in with the overs as the drizzle turns into a proper shower now. Hopefully, it is just a passing shower, and we get back on the field soon.
Game stopped due to Wet Ground ConditionGame stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition
Game stopped due to Rain StoppageGame stopped due to : Rain Stoppage
D. Deepesh to Kalam Siddiki Aleen, 1 run.Low full toss, on leg, Kalam Siddiki Aleen tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.