ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2004
Dhaka, 23 February 2004 - ICC Reports
Bangladesh begin Plate assault with victory
Bangladesh beat Canada by four wickets at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium
Bangladesh began their challenge for the Plate Championship with a four wicket victory over Canada at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium. After their bowlers had dismissed Canada for 136, the Bangladesh batsmen gave the 4,000 home spectators a fright with a string of sloppy shots before finally prevailing by four wickets.
After Canada won the toss and elected to bat, the Bangladesh bowlers made early inroads. Nazmul Hossain and Talha Jubaer picked up two wickets each as Canada crashed to 36 for 5. A cameo 42 from 26 balls from Karun Jethi added a degree of respectability to the scorecard but only one other batsman, Soham Anjaria, made more than 20 as Canada were all out for 136 in 37.2 overs.
Bangladesh's openers Naeem Islama and Nafees Iqbal rapidly took their side past the 50 mark but with a comfortable victory in sight a succession of batsmen gave away their wickets. Canada off-spinner Shaheed Keshvani claimed five wickets four caught and one stumped as Bangladesh stuttered to 103 for 6.
The prospect of an embarrassing defeat for the home side was finally averted by Nazim Uddin whose 27 not out took Bangladesh past the winning post in 34.5 overs.
Canada coach Franklyn Dennis was disappointed that his team has yet to perform to its potential. "I'm not very pleased with today's performance," said Dennis. "We expected to win matches in this tournament and we haven't yet come close."
Bangladesh opener Nafees Iqbal was pleased to see his side return to winning ways but was frustrated by his own soft dismissal. "The last few days have been disappointing," said Iqbal. "I have not been satisfied with my batting and today I made the wrong decision and was out," said Iqbal.
Pakistan maintains unbeaten record against Zimbabwe
Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets at the BKSP Sports Ground, Dhaka
Pakistan remained the only unbeaten side at the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup by beating Zimbabwe by nine wickets at the BKSP Sports Ground in Dhaka. Pakistan overhauled Zimbabwe's modest total of 141 in only 30 overs to maintain the tournament's only 100 per cent record.
Pakistan bowlers Riaz Afridi and Mansoor Amjad were the top wicket-takers in the first round of the tournament with nine wickets apiece and they continued their good form against Zimbabwe. After Pakistan put Zimbabwe into bat, the pace of Afridi accounted for two batsmen while Amjad's leg spin trapped three victims. But as Zimbabwe slumped to 141 all out it was off-spinner Tariq Mahmood that caused the most damage. Mahmood finished his 10-over spell with 4 for 33, taking his personal tournament tally to 10 wickets.
The Pakistan reply was swift and effective and they lost only one wicket on their way to victory. Captain Khalid Lateef lead the way with a domineering 84 not out that included 12 fours and a six while Abid Ali offered measured support with 43 not out.
Pakistan team manager Sultan Rana was impressed with the professional attitude of his players. "I was very satisfied with today's performance which was a very good all-round team effort," said Rana. "Our boys are performing well together and it was important to start the Super League with a win."
Zimbabwe captain Tinotenda Mawoyo was disappointed that his team had not adapted to the change of venue after three matches in Bogra. "There was a different feeling in the dressing room today," said Mawoyo. "The boys didn't seem up for it and we need to come back with a positive attitude for our remaining games in the Super League if we are to progress any further."
Two centurions help England outscore New Zealand
England beat New Zealand by 97 runs at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka
Alastair Cook and Samit Patel both struck unbeaten centuries as England romped to a 97 run victory over New Zealand in a day/night match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.
England's captain and opener Cook won the toss, elected to bat and - with his Essex colleague Ravinder Bopara set about giving England the perfect platform for success. The pair took only 39 minutes to reach their 50 partnership and were two short of a century opening stand when Bopara was out lbw to Brent Findlay for 40.
Next man in Steven Davis added 20 as Cook progressed unhurriedly to 50 then Nottinghamshire right-hander Samit Patel arrived at the crease to provide the fireworks. With wickets in hand Patel helped Cook increase the run-rate in the closing overs so that first Cook and then Patel had time to claim deserved centuries, the latter coming in the final over off only 90 balls. England finished with 306 for 2 from their 50 overs, comfortably their best total of the tournament.
New Zealand set about their reply with purpose but lost early wickets as England's opening bowlers Tim Bresnan and Liam Plunkett kept a tight line. As the required run-rate climbed, New Zealand flailed to 209 all out with Bresnan and Plunkett among five England bowlers to collect two wickets apiece. Peter Carey was top-scorer for New Zealand with 48.
England captain Cook was delighted with his own performance as well as his side's victory. "We have always said that it is up to one of the top order to bat through and today that was me," said Cook. "I am pleased to get some runs and it's obviously good to start the Super League with a win. "It is a good win but I don't want to speak about bigger targets yet, we're just going to take each game as it comes. "Samit's innings was something special, it was a pleasure to be at the other end to watch it."
Patel was named Man of the Match by ICC Match Referee Roshan Mahanama.
The win puts England level with Pakistan on two points after the first round of matches in Super League Group 2.
Ireland power to victory over Uganda
Ireland beat Uganda by 123 runs at the M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chittagong
Four days after Ireland's manager John Wright announced that his side would be targeting the final of the Plate Championship, his team showed the sort of form that may take them there with an impressive 123-run win against Uganda in Chittagong.
Ireland won the toss on a clear day at the M.A. Aziz Stadium and elected to bat first. It proved a wise decision as they plundered Uganda's bowlers to all quarters at more than six an over. Eoin Morgan top-scored with 117, putting on 166 for the third wicket with Kevin O'Brien who was the second-highest scorer with 70. Andrew Riddles and Simon Wells added the icing to the cake with 23 runs from 15 balls and 33 off 11 respectively as Ireland powered to 329 for 9 in 50 overs.
Despite his 160-minute batting stint, the all-rounder Morgan was asked to bowl the second over of the second innings. Ireland captain William Porterfield clearly had a hunch that it was Morgan's day and the medium-pacer repaid his skipper's confidence by claiming wickets with his first and fourth balls to set Ireland on the way to a comfortable victory. Uganda batted on for 45.2 overs but were never close to the required run-rate. Morgan was one of four Irish bowlers to claim two wickets as Uganda were all out for 206.
Man of the Match Morgan was delighted with his innings. "I am very happy as this was my best batting performance for Ireland," said Morgan. "The wicket was very good and the conditions were ideal with the ball really coming onto the bat."
After the victory, Ireland coach Adrian Birrell backed up his manager's earlier comments. "I am satisfied with the performance and we must aim to bat as well in our next two matches," said Birrell. "I want us to go on and win this group, then win the semi-final to make it to the final of the Plate Championship."
Uganda coach Tom Tikolo was disappointed with his side's bowling performance. "We bowled poorly and our fielding wasn't very good but our batsmen did alright and we made over 200 for the first time in the tournament," said Tikolo.