Host Bangladesh stuns defending champion South Africa by 43 runs

Host Bangladesh gave the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016 a momentous start with 43 runs victory over defending champion South Africa in Wednesday’s opening Group A match which was produced by the ICC TV and aired around the world by 15 broadcasters.

In a Group C fixture at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, Dan Lawrence and Jack Burnham hit centuries as title contender England brushed aside Fiji by 299 runs. Bangladesh, which elected to bat on a slow pitch at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong, lost wickets just when the batsmen appeared to have settled down and was restricted to 240 for seven in its 50 overs.

Nazmul Hossain hit 73 off 82 balls to boost the total after useful contributions from Pinak Ghosh (43) and Joyraz Sheik (46).

The target proved too tough for South Africa, which was bowled out for 197 in the penultimate over despite a defiant 100 from opener Liam Smith. Smith batted till the 45th over before being the seventh batsman out, caught superbly in the covers by Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan. Mehidy, leading his nation in the second successive ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, picked up three for 37 with his off-spin. Seamer Mohammad Saifuddin took three for 30.

It was Bangladesh’s first win over South Africa in the ICC U19 World Cup following four previous defeats, but Wednesday’s victory was its 12th in 15 matches against the same opponents over the past two years.