Young Tigers suffer complete defeat in World Cup opener

Defending champions Bangladesh started the ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign in Group A with a seven-wicket defeat to England in Basseterre, West Indies on Sunday.

Following a horrific batting slump, Bangladesh were tied for just 97 runs from 35.2 overs, with left-arm tailor Joshua Boyden pocketing four wickets. England in response, achieved the goal losing three wickets and with 24.5 overs to spare.

Courtesy of fly-half Jacob Bethell with 44 runs before running out and James Rew remaining unbeaten on 26, England finally sealed an easy win despite losing two early wickets.

Earlier, Bangladesh fell early on after opting to beat. Boyden knocked out both fly-half Mahfijul Islam (3) and Ariful Islam (4). Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals and at one point were shocked 51 for 9 inside 25 overs.

However, a final stand of 46 points between Ripon Mondol and Naimur Rohman helped Bangladesh post nearly a hundred. Naimur was the last batter to be dismissed after scoring 11 while Ripon had the best score with 33 of 41 balls, hitting five fours and one six, and ultimately did not come out.

It was a poor batting display from the young Tigers where only four hitters were able to hit the double-digit mark.

England wicketkeeper Alex Horton took seven catches behind the stumps. And aside from Boyden, average pace Thomas Aspinwal took two wickets while James Sales, Fateh Singh and Tom Press scalped one wicket apiece for England.

Rakibul Hasan and his squad will face Canada in the second group match on January 20 before facing the United Arab Emirates on January 22 in their final group match.