DLS drama denies Bangladesh U-19

  Bangla Press Desk: Bangladesh U-19 posted a massive total of 320 runs in the third and final youth ODI against South Africa U-19, but fell short due to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, losing by 14 runs in a rain-curtailed encounter at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on Tuesday. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the visitors rode on solid partnerships and attacking intent throughout the innings. Openers Zawad Arbar and Rifat Beg gave Bangladesh a flying start, putting on 97 runs for the first wicket. Jawad continued his scintillating form with a third consecutive fifty in the series. He eventually fell for 68, but his departure didn’t slow Bangladesh down. Rifat and Kalam Siddiki then built a 125-run partnership for the second wicket. Rifat played a composed knock of 86, while Kalam smashed 85 runs off just 78 balls. Skipper Azizul Hakim Tamim chipped in with a quickfire 29 (19), and despite a late collapse triggered by Protea pacer Ntando Soni, who picked up a six-wicket haul, Bangladesh finished on a commanding 320 in their allotted 50 overs—surpassing their previous best of 304 in Youth ODIs against South Africa, set a decade ago. In reply, South Africa U-19 lost an early wicket for 20 runs, with Shahria Al-Amin striking early. But the hosts rebounded strongly, stitching together a 181-run stand for the second wicket. Muhammed Bulbulia was dismissed for 62—once again by Shahria. However, the game took a dramatic turn in the final stages. With South Africa needing 44 runs off 32 balls at 277/3, fading light brought the match to an abrupt end. According to the DLS method, South Africa were declared winners by 14 runs. South African batter Jorich Van Schalkwyk was the standout performer with the bat, anchoring the chase with a brilliant unbeaten 164 off 156 balls. After completing the South Africa and Zimbabwe tours, the young Tigers will head to England for a two-week tour in September. This article was originally published on Daily Sun.