Skipper Azizul guides Bangladesh U19 to series-saving win

Skipper Azizul Hakim struck a century to guide Bangladesh U-19 to a two-wicket win over Afghanistan U-19 in the fifth and final Youth ODI at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on Sunday, earning the hosts a 2-2 series draw.

Chasing 209, Bangladesh relied heavily on Azizul's knock to take them home. The left-handed opener compiled a 118-ball 100, hitting seven fours and three sixes, and held the innings together as wickets tumbled around him. He was finally dismissed by pacer Salam Khan in the 46th over with the hosts just two runs away from victory. Bangladesh eventually crossed the line in 45.5 overs, with Shahria Al-Amin ensuring a calm finish and remaining unbeaten on 17. Earlier, Rizan Hossan (27) and Farid Hasan (23) provided valuable support.

For Afghanistan, off-spinner Wahidullah Zadran impressed with 4-25, while Salam and Uzairullah Niazai took two wickets each.

Afghanistan had earlier posted 208-8, driven by a patient 106-ball 68 from opener Osman Sadat. Skipper Mahboob Khan made 40 and Niazai added 32 before two run-outs stalled their momentum.

Left-arm spinner Samiun Bashir returned 2-33 for Bangladesh.

Niazai finished as the leading run-scorer of the series with 275 runs at an average of 91.66, including a century and a half-century. For Bangladesh, Kalam Siddiki accumulated 187 runs at 46.75, while pacer Iqbal Hossain Emon topped the wicket charts with 12 at an economy of 5.69. Off-spinner Wahidullah Zadran finished second with 11 wickets.

Bangladesh had taken the opening match before the second was abandoned. Afghanistan claimed the next two to lead the series, but the hosts' win on Sunday ensured the honours were shared.