Bangladesh A beat Afghanistan A to cement semifinal spot

Bangladesh A beat Afghanistan A by 21 runs in their final Group A fixture to confirm a spot in the semifinal of the ongoing ACC Emerging Asia Cup at the P.Sara Oval in Colombo. Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

The first semifinal will take place at the same venue on Friday. 

Bangladesh A will take on Group B runner-up meaning they will face either India or Pakistan. The archrivals will faceoff in their final group fixture on Wednesday.  

After posting 308 for seven, the Saif Hassan-led side restricted Afghanistan A to 287 for eight to guarantee qualification by virtue of a significantly higher net run-rate.

Afghanistan A's opener Riaz Hassan put away seven fours and two sixes for his 105-ball 78, and middle-order batter Bahir Shah scored an unbeaten 50-ball 53 but it wasn't enough. 

Bangladesh A spinners Sheikh Mahedi and Rakibul Hasan gave away just 63 runs from their 20 overs, with the latter picking up two wickets, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib starred again with three scalps.

Earlier, Bangladesh A batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy smashed a century as Bangladesh A posted 308 for seven.

Joy scored 100 off 114 deliveries, striking 12 fours and two sixes, while left-hander Zakir Hasan added 62 off 72 deliveries with the help of six fours and two sixes. Soumya Sarkar scored 48 off 42 while Sheikh Mahedi smashed a quick-fire 36 off just 19 balls with six fours and a six.

Naim Sheikh once again failed to make an impact after Bangladesh elected to bat. The left-hander departed after scoring 18 off 19 deliveries. Tanzid Hasan (9) and skipper Saif Hasan (4) also departed cheaply as Bangladesh were struggling on 34 for three inside six overs.

Joy and Zakir then held the ship and added 117 runs for the fourth-wicket stand. The late launch from Soumya and Mahedi where Bangladesh added 52 runs in the last five overs of the innings.