M.S. Washington Sundar and Rishabh Pant, who scored a half century each, helped India beat Bangladesh by four wickets and ensure itself a place in the final of the under-19 tri-series here on Tuesday. Chasing 223, the home side overhauled the target losing six wickets and with eight balls to spare.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Pant top scored with 51 while Washington scored a 50 and got two wickets.
India lost it way a bit midway as Bangladesh bowlers got three quick wickets. But Amandeep Khare (41) and Sundar (50, 75b, 6x4) played responsibility to take the host close to the win before Mahipal Lomror (19 n.o.) and Mayank Dagar (11 n.o.) knocked off the remainder.
Electing to bat, Bangladesh was helped by a fine knock of 87 (90b, 10x4, 2x6) from its captain Mehedy Hassan Miraz, who ensured the team posted a fighting total of 222 for seven.
India’s 13 points from three wins sealed its berth in Sunday’s final.
Bangladesh has five points from two loses (against India) and a win (against Afghanistan).
The scores: Bangladesh: Joyraj Sheik Imon c Lomror b Dagar 15, Mohammed Saif Hassan c Sarfaraz Khan b Ansari 33, Mohammad Najmul Hossain Shanto ct Sarfaraz Khan b Sundar 4, Mohammad Zakir Hasan b Sundar 3, Mohammad Mehedy Hassan Miraz c Ansari b Seth 87, Jaker Ali Anik run out 16, Mohammad Shaifuddin c Pant b Avesh Khan 30, Saeed Sarker (not out) 17, Mohammad Mehede Hasan (not out) 6, Extras (b-4, nb-3, w-4) 11; Total (for seven wickets in 50 overs) 222.
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-40, 3-47, 4-81, 5-144, 6-188, 7-216.
India bowling: Avesh Khan 10-3-39-1, Kanishk Seth 9-0-66-1, Mayank Dagar 8-0-18-1, Washington Sundar 6-1-25-2, Mahipal Lomror 10-0-39-0, Zeeshan Ansari 7-0-31-1.
India: Rishabh Pant c Imon b Sarker 51, Ishan Kishan run out 24, Virat Singh c Gazi b Miraz 21, Amandeep Khare b Miraz 41, Sarfaraz Khan lbw b Shaifuddin 0, M.S. Washington Sundar c&b Shanto 50, Mahipal Lomror (not out) 19, Mayank Dagar (not out) 11, Extras (lb-1, nb-1, w-4) 6; Total (for six wickets in 48.4 overs) 223.
Fall of wickets: 1-67, 2-84, 3-116, 4-116, 5-185, 6-198.
Bangladesh bowling: Mohammad Abdul Halim 3-0-33-0, Mohammad Mehede Hasan 6-1-28-0, Mehedy Hassan Miraz 9-2-50-2, Saeed Sarker 10-1-42-1, Saleh Ahmed Shawon Gazi 9-0-31-0, Mohammad Shaifuddin 8.4-1-28-1, Mohammad Najmul Hossain Shanto 3-0-10-1.