Under-19 tri-series: Ghazi spins Bangladesh to victory over Afghanistan

Left-arm spinner Saleh Ahmed Shawon Ghazi starred with a six-wicket haul as Bangladesh prevailed over Afghanistan by four wickets in the Under-19 cricket tri-series here on Sunday.

In a match marked by low and slow scoring, Bangladesh skittled out Afghanistan for 85 runs in 30.4 overs with Ghazi coming up with astounding bowling figures of 7.4-2-10-6.

Bangladesh then huffed and puffed their way to victory by reaching 89/6 in 34.4 overs at the Jadavpur university Campus, Salt Lake.

With the first leg over, Bangladesh now lie second gleaning five points from two matches after leaders India (9 from two). Afghanistan are yet to open their points kitty, having gone down in both their outings.

Opting to bat, Afghanistan began confidently, with the opening pair of Hazratullah (32; 40b, 4x6, 6x1) and Ihasanullah (14) putting on 37 runs.

But once Hazratullah departed in the tenth over, the slide started and no other batsman reached double figures.

Ghazi, 18, got rid of the last two batsmen Naveen ul Haq and Zia ur Rehman off consecutive deliveries.

Chasing 86, Bangladesh lost Sheik Imon (1) in the fifth over, but a 43-run second wicket partnership between Mohammed Saif Hassan (32; 98b, 4x6) and Md. Najmul Hossain Ashanto (19) put them into the driving seat.

The Afghan bowlers took wickets at regular intervals, but in the end that was not enough to prevent a Bangladesh win.

Bangladesh take on India in their next match on Tuesday.

Brief scores: Afghanistan 85 all out in 30.4 overs (Hazratullah 32; Ghazi 6 for 10); Bangladesh 89/6 in 34.4 ov (Saif Hassan 32, Zia-ur-Rehman 2/20).