Emerging Cricket: Bangladesh reach semifinal as Group B champions

Bangladesh reached the semifinal of eight-nation ACC Emerging Teams Cup 2019 as Group B champions on Monday.

They have an impressive all-win record. They beat Nepal by 8 wickets in their third and last group match at BKSP ground-4 in Savar on Monday.

In the day's other group matches, Pakistan emerged as unbeaten Group A champions to reach the semifinal crushing Oman by 147 runs. India booked a semifinal berth as Group B runners-up outplaying Hong Kong by 120 runs while Afghanistan finished Group A runners-up to reach semis eliminating Sri Lanka by 7 wickets at different venues.

Pakistan will now face Group B runners-up India in the first semifinal on Wednesday (Nov 20) while Bangladesh will play Group A runners Afghanistan on Thursday (Nov 21) – both at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Earlier, hosts Bangladesh made a flying start in the continental meet outplaying Hong Kong by 9 wickets and ensured the semifinal berth upsetting India by 6 wickets in the second match.

On their way to the semifinal, Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 8 wickets and defeated Sri Lanka by 90 runs.

In the day's last group match, Bangladesh sent Nepal to bat first after winning the toss and dismissed them for 138 in 44.3 overs. Sompal Kami scored the teams' highest 38 runs, captain Gyanendra Malla 22, Karan KC added 18 runs for Nepal.

Both Sumon Khan and Minhajul Abedin Afridi took three wickets each conceding 29 runs each. Mahedi Hasan and Tanvir Islam bagged 2 wickets each conceding 25 and 26 runs respectively.

In reply, Bangladesh easily reached their target scoring 140 runs for the loss of two wickets in 24 overs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto contributed an unbeaten 59 runs, opener Mohammad Naim scored 45 runs and Yasir Ali scored an unbeaten 18 runs.

Karan KC and Sushan Bhari took one wicket each conceding 11 and 24 runs respectively.