Bangladesh to Face Pakistan in Semi-Finals

Defending champions Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the first semi-final of the Under-19 Asia Cup on Thursday. The match will take place at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf-2). On Tuesday, Pakistan secured the top spot in Group ‘A’ by defeating Nepal by 101 runs in their final group match. They finished the group stage with six points and a net run rate of +1.186 from three matches.

Pakistan began their campaign with a nine-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates, followed by a three-wicket win against arch-rivals India in a high-voltage match on Sunday. As the group leaders, Group ‘A’ champions Pakistan will face Bangladesh, who finished second in Group ‘B’, in the semi-finals. Bangladesh concluded the group stage with four points from three matches.

In the second semi-final of the eight-team tournament, India will face Group ‘B’ table-toppers Afghanistan on the same day at Turf-1 of the Al Amerat ground. India secured the final semi-final spot on Tuesday by defeating the UAE by 70 runs. Although the previous edition’s runners-up began their campaign by crushing Nepal by ten wickets, they suffered a narrow defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan booked their place in the semi-finals on Monday by defeating Sri Lanka by 106 runs. They finished at the top of Group ‘B’ with six points and a net run rate of +3.176 from three matches. The semi-final winners will face each other in the title clash on November 14 at Turf-2 of the same venue.

Source: BSS