KEY POINTS
- Thomas Rew’s 59* off 50 balls anchored successful chase of 137.
- Collective bowling effort dismissed Bangladesh for 136.
BULAWAYO: A commanding all-round performance propelled England to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the Super Six stage of the Under-19 World Cup on Monday.
The win, achieved with a significant boost to their net run rate, has virtually assured England of a semifinal berth, while eliminating Bangladesh from the tournament.
Chasing a modest target of 137 set by Bangladesh, England’s chase was anchored by a composed, unbeaten half-century from Thomas Rew.
The young batsman finished on 59 not out from 50 deliveries, guiding his team home with 11.3 overs to spare.
Rew and Mayes steer chase
England’s pursuit did not begin flawlessly, as they found themselves at 39 for 2.
Opener Joseph Moores fell early to a spectacular catch in the deep by Shadhin Islam, while the dangerous Ben Dawkins (27 off 29) was dismissed just as he looked set.
Rew, however, entered with calm authority and formed a decisive 78-run partnership with Ben Mayes off just 68 balls.
The stand effectively broke the back of the chase, silencing a previously energetic Bangladesh side.
Rew was particularly severe on the sweep shot, launching two enormous slog-sweeps for six off spinner Shadhin Islam to signal England’s acceleration.
Mayes departed with the score at 117, but Rew and Caleb Falconer (6*) comfortably completed the formalities.
For Bangladesh, seamer Al Fahad was the most threatening, claiming both early wickets to finish with 2 for 37.
Bowling brilliance
The foundation for England’s comfortable win was laid by a disciplined and penetrative bowling and fielding display.
They bowled Bangladesh out for a subpar 136 in 38.1 overs, with wickets shared amongst the attack.
Sebastian Morgan led the way with excellent figures of 3 for 28, while Ralphie Albert and Manny Lumsden chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Spinners Farhan Ahmed and Alex Green, along with seamer James Minto, also claimed a wicket each, highlighting England’s collective effort.
Bangladesh’s innings falters
Bangladesh’s innings showed brief promise during a 46-run second-wicket stand between skipper Azizul Hakim and the aggressive Rifat Beg.
Once Beg (31 off 36) was dismissed, caught behind off a beautifully flighted delivery from Farhan Ahmed, the innings lost all momentum.
No subsequent partnership exceeded 18 runs as England’s bowlers maintained a stranglehold, consistently taking wickets and preventing any late flourish.
The batting side collapsed from a relatively secure 68 for 2 to be bundled out for 136.
The comprehensive nature of this victory leaves England in a powerful position to advance to the semifinals, while Bangladesh’s campaign in the tournament has come to an end.
