BASSETERRE (ST KITTS AND NEVIS): England Under-19s team displayed their authority over holders Bangladesh with an effortless seven-win with 24.5 overs to spare in a low-scoring match in Group A opener in the ICC Under 19s Men's World Cup here today.
Batting first, Bangladesh were dismissed for 97 runs in 35.2 overs. Their innings fell like nine cards with only their four bastmen-- Aich Mollah (13), SM Meherob Hasan (13), Naimur Rohman (11) and Ripon Mondol (33 not out) reaching the double figure mark.
Bangladesh were struggling at 51 for 9 in 24.2 overs. Last batsman Ripon Mondol not out 33 and Naimur Rohman gave some respectability to Bangladesh's total with a 46-run partnership for the last wicket. Ripon Mondol remained not out on 33 which contained five fours and one six while facing 41 deliveries.
Left handed fast bowler Josh Boyden (9-4-16-4) and Jomes Soles (9-2-29-2) were the most successful English bowlers.
England achieved the victory target in 25 for 1 by scoring 98 for 3. Opener Jacob Bethell (44 run out, 63 b, 4x4s, 2x6s) and James Rew (26 not out, 3x4s, x6) were associated in a match winning 65-run partnership for the third wicket.
Bethell eventually paid for some hesitant running - which had been a feature of his innings - but by the time he was run out by Ariful for a well-made 44 from 63 balls the game was all but over.
Luxton strode out to the crease and promptly hit his first ball down the ground for six before Rew, 26 not out off 39 balls, hit the winning runs off the first ball of the 26th over.
England picked up a comfortable two points to go top of Group A ahead of their match against Canada on Tuesday while Bangladesh will look to bounce back on Thursday against the same opponents, who lost to the UAE in their opener on Saturday.
SCOREBOARD
Bangladesh Under-19s: Mahfijul Islam c Horton b Boyden 3, Ariful Islam c Horton b Boyden 4, Prantik Nawroz Nabil c Horton b Sales 0, Aich Mollah c Sales b Singh 13, Mohammad Fahim run out 1, Ashiqur Zaman c Luxton b Aspinwall 9, Abdullah Al Mamun c Horton b Boyden 4, SM Meherob Hasan c Horton b Aspinwall 14, Rakibul Hasan c Horton b Boyden 0, Naimur Rohman c Rew b Prest 11, Ripon Mondol not out 33. Extras: 5
Total (all out in 35.2 overs) 97.
Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-7, 3-3, 4-8, 5-26, 6-31, 7-50, 8-51, 9-51, 10-97.
Bowling: Josh Boyden 9-4-16-4, James Sales 9-2-29-1, Fateh Singh
6-0-29-1, Tom Aspinwall 8-1-18-2, Tom Prest 2.2-1, -5-1, Jacob Bethell 10-1-0-2.-0-
England Under-19s: George Thomas c Aich Mollah b Mondol 15, Jacob Bethell run out 44, Tom Prest c Mohammad Fahim b Rakibul Hasan 4, James Rew not out 26, Will Luxton not out 6. Extras 3.
Total (for 3 wkts in 25.1 overs) 98
Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-26, 3-91.
Bowling: Ashiqur Zaman 4-3-4-0, SM Meherob Hasan 6-2-25-0, Rakibul Hasan 4-1-13-1, Ripon Mondol 6-1-23-1, Ariful Islam 2.1-0-11-0 , Naimur Rohman 1-0-22-0.