Press Trust of India
Kolkata, Nov 29: India put up a spirited bowling performance before Mumbai youngster Sarfaraz Khan (59 n o, 27b, 9×4, 3×6) struck an unbeaten half-century to steer the team to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh and clinch the U-19 tri-series one-day cricket tournament title here Sunday.
After bundling out Bangladesh for 116 in 36.5 overs, India reached 117 in just 13.3 overs, losing three wickets in the process.
Opting to bat, Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular interval as the home team bowlers wreaked havoc with left arm spinner Mayank Dagar (3/32) emerging as the highest wicket taker. Shubham Mavi (2/21) and Mahipal Lomror (2/11) also bowled well.
Chasing a modest target, India suddenly found themselves struggling at 42 for three in 6.3 overs from 38 for no loss. But Sarfaraz steadied the boat. He hit a blistering half century and in the able company of skipper Ricky Bhui (20 n o, 20b, 4×4) put up an unbroken 75-run match-winning partnership to chase down the target in the 14th over.
The burly Mumbai right-hander, who had a quiet tournament returned to form with a superb knock. He was particularly brutal against Bangladeshi left-arm spinner Saleh Ahmed Shawon Gazi as he raced to the fastest half-century of the tournament.
Gazi conceded 15 runs and 20 runs from his ninth and 11th overs, respectively with Sarfaraz striking 4, 6 and 4 before following it up with 4-6-4-4 in the next over to reach to his fifty in 23 balls. Earlier, Sarfaraz had knocks of two, 0 and 12 in his first three matches but he came up with a brilliant performance when it mattered the most and was adjudged the man of the match for his efforts.
Brief scores
India U-19s 117 for three (Sarfaraz 59 n o) beat Bangladesh U-19s 116 (Shanto 45, Dagar 3/32, Lomror 2/11) by seven wickets.
