DHAKA, May 11, 2019 (BSS) – Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbi came up with stellar all-rounder performance as Bangladesh Under-16 team made a winning start to the three-match one-day series, beating Pakistan by 89 runs in the first match at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Saturday.
Mahfuz was instrumental in Bangladesh’s victory, smashing a crucial 66 in batting and taking 2-31 in bowling. Put into bat first, Bangladesh were restricted to 228-9 but a disciplined bowling from the local bowlers saw Pakistan were bundled out for 139 in just 41.4 overs. Thereby the junior Tigers took 1-0 lead in the series.
Mahfuzur Rabbi smote seven fours and one six in his 71 ball-66, which helped the side propel past 200 after the top order tasted a collapse, leaving the side 96-6 in 23.2 overs.
Coming to bat at No. 7, Mahfuz counterattacked in style to help the side recover from the shaky start. He was ably supported by Azizul Haque Rony who made 35. Sakib Shahriar was the other notable scorer with 34.
Farhad Khan was the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan Under-16 with 4-55 while Asser Mughal took 3-51.
Kasif Ali was the highest scorer for Pakistan with 64. He was the only shining spot of the team amid the wickets tumbling at regular interval. Muhammad Waqas made 27 and Aseer Mughal was not out on 19. The rest of the batsmen couldn’t cross double digit figure.
Mushfiq Hasan, Azizul Haque Rony and Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbi claimed two wickets apiece for Bangladesh U-16.
The second and third match of the series will be on May 13 and 15 at the same venue.
Bangladesh earlier won the two-match three-day series by 1-0.