Bangladesh A confirm semis

Courtesy of Mahmudul Hasan Joy's century, Bangladesh A confirmed their ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup semifinal spot by securing a 21-run victory against Afghanistan A in their final group game at the P Sara Oval yesterday.

Bangladesh posted 308 for seven after electing to bat before restricting the Afghans to 287 for eight. Having finished second in Group A, Bangladesh set up a semifinal clash with the champions from Group B that will be decided following the game between Pakistan A and India A today.

Bangladesh were in a spot of bother, reeling at 34 for three inside six overs. Opener Tanzid Hasan departed after scoring nine while Naim Sheikh once again failed to make an impact and was dismissed on 19 off 18 balls.

Skipper Saif Hassan also departed quickly before Joy, along with Zakir, steadied the ship for Bangladesh. The pair added 117 runs for the fourth wicket before Zakir was dismissed after scoring 62 off 72 balls, striking six fours and two sixes.

Joy, however, stuck around and got his second List A hundred. His 114-ball 100, laced with 12 boundaries and two maximums, came to an end in the 47th over.

Soumya Sarkar added 48 off 42 balls while Mahedi Hasan played a 19-ball 36-run cameo, including six fours and a maximum, as Bangladesh added 52 runs in the last five overs of the innings.

For Afghanistan, opener Riaz Hassan top scored with 78 and Bahir Shah remained not out on 53 as the target proved too big for them.

Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib picked up three wickets while left arm spinner Rakibul Hasan and Soumya Sarkar bagged two wickets each for Bangladesh.