Bangladesh endured a frustrating build-up to the ICC Under-19 World Cup as both of their warm-up matches were abandoned due to rain in Zimbabwe.
The second of those fixtures, against Scotland at the Prince Edward School Ground in Harare yesterday, showed promise for the junior Tigers before the weather had the final say. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh lost Zawad Abrar early, with Finlay Jones striking in the second over. Rifat Beg then took charge, adding 69 runs for the second wicket with captain Azizul Hakim before stitching together another 56-run stand with Kalam Siddiki.
Beg was in fine touch, compiling 75 with seven fours and a six, before rain interrupted proceedings and Bangladesh were forced to settle for 161 for four. With the contest reduced, Scotland were handed a revised target of 176 from 22 overs.
Their reply began poorly as captain Thomas Knight departed in the second over, although Max Chaplin and Theo Robinson added 40 to steady the innings.
Md Samin Ratul then swung the game back in Bangladesh’s favour by breaking the partnership and removing Robinson and Rory Grant off successive deliveries, leaving Bangladesh one wicket away from victory before rain returned and eventually cancelled the match.
Three days earlier, on January 10, Bangladesh’s first warm-up against Pakistan at the Masvingo Sports Club in Masvingo had also been abandoned. Pakistan elected to field and Ali Raza, along with Umar Zaib, ripped through Bangladesh’s top order. Kalam Siddiki was the lone resistance, producing a feisty half-century to lift Bangladesh to 152 for seven before rain again brought a premature end to the contest.
The junior Tigers left for Zimbabwe on January 4 to take part in the 16th edition of the tournament, scheduled from January 15 to February 6 in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Although Namibia are co-hosts, Bangladesh will play all their Group B matches in Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh, champions of the 2020 edition held in South Africa, will open their campaign against India on January 17 in Bulawayo, face New Zealand at the same venue on January 20, and then meet the USA in their final group game on January 23 in Harare.
