Bangladesh sealed top spot in Group B of the Under-19 Asia Cup, after defeating Sri Lanka by 39 runs in Dubai, reports espncricinfo.com.
Bangladesh's win was built on the back of handy contributions from their top order - Zawad Abrar and Rifat Beg put up an 84-run opening stand, before the captain Azizul Hakim and Kalam Siddiki added 53 for the third wicket.
However, Bangladesh collapsed from 163 for 3 to 225 all out in 46.3 overs, with offspinner Kavija Gamage taking 4 for 38 to roll through the middle and lower order.
Sri Lanka, though, failed to get any momentum going in their chase, lost three wickets in 38 runs playing 14 overs. Chamika Heenatigala provided a brief resistance, top scoring with 41, but Bangladesh kept chipping away at the other end to enforce their advantage. At 126 for 8, Sri Lanka were all but out of the contest, and despite some late hits from Aadham Hilmy, they eventually were bowled out for 186. Iqbal Hossain Emon (3 for 37) and Shahriar Ahmed (3 for 27) performed the best among Bangladesh bowlers.
India will now play Sri Lanka in the first semi-final, while Bangladesh will take on Pakistan. Both games will be held on Friday, December 19, in Dubai.
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