'We should have given value to our wickets'

In a shocking turn of events, Bangladesh A cracked under pressure and eventually lost by 51 runs in the semifinal against India A to exit the ACC Emerging Asia Cup at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

The outcoume, however, set a clash between archrivals India and Pakistan in the final of the tournament, scheduled for July 23 in Colombo.

Chasing a modest 212-run target, Bangladesh imploded despite a solid start by the openers, who added 70 inside 12 overs. But Bangladesh suffered a horrible collapse in the middle to be eventually bundled out for 160 in 40.2 overs.

There were some poor shot selections and lack of game sense from the Bangladesh batters, who threw their wickets away despite gaining momentum early in the chase.

The batting line up started to crumble since Mohammad Naim departed after scoring 38 off 40 deliveries, striking six fours. Tanzid Hasan followed suit soon as he departed to Nishant Sindhu after scoring 51 off 56 balls.

Bangladesh lost their last nine wickets in the span of 17 overs, while adding just 66.

When the situation required a calm approach, Bangladesh A, consisting of six players who represented the senior side in the past, were unable to keep their composure against an inexperienced Indian side with all uncapped cricketers.

Skipper Saif Hassan went for a big shot and was dismissed on 22 off 24 balls while Soumya Sarkar was engaged in a verbal spat with the India fielders after he was caught at slip, scoring just five as the Bangladesh batters started to panic.

"I think we were in the game and I think just a bit of batting collapse in the middle order [took the game away]. Everything was going according to the plan and it was a good total for us [to chase] and we had a great start. But in the end we collapsed," Saif said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"The plan was to remain positive but we should have given value to our wickets and I think we played some rash shots. We could have minimised our mistakes. If we could have taken some time, it would have been better but we lost the game there," Saif added.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored 20 and Mahedi Hasan added 12 as none of the other middle or the lower order batters were able to reach the double figures.

For India, left-arm spinner Sindhu picked up five wickets conceding 20 from his eight overs while Manav Suthar bagged three wickets.

Earlier, electing to bowl, Bangladesh came up with a collective approach to bundle out India for a modest 211 runs in 49.1 overs.

India A skipper Yash Dhull scored an 85-ball 66 to take his side's total beyond the 200-run mark after a struggling start.

Mahedi Hasan, Tanzid Hasan and Rakibul Hasan picked up two wickets each for Bangladesh.