Rain intervened three times and ultimately proved disastrous for Bangladesh’s Under-19 team, turning a winning position into a painful defeat against India in the Under-19 World Cup at Bloemfontein.

The first interruption came before the toss, followed by one stoppage in each team’s innings. What initially seemed like a routine delay ended up derailing Bangladesh’s chase at the worst possible moment.

India Under-19 batted first and were dismissed for 238 runs in 48.4 overs. In reply, Bangladesh began strongly. After 17.2 overs, they were 90 for 2 when rain returned, forcing a revision under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method. The new target was set at 165 runs in 29 overs, meaning Bangladesh needed 75 runs from 11.4 overs (70 balls) with eight wickets in hand.

At the crease were captain Azizul Hakim and Kalam Siddiqui, and with plenty of wickets remaining, the chase appeared well within reach. However, Bangladesh collapsed dramatically and were bowled out for 146 in 28.3 overs, handing India an 18-run DLS victory.

After 20 overs, the equation stood at 63 needed from 54 balls, with Bangladesh on 102 for 2 and ahead by 14 runs on DLS calculations. Had rain returned again, Bangladesh would have been declared winners. But play continued—and the collapse began.

Kalam was dismissed in the 21st over, triggering a sudden downfall. Bangladesh lost their remaining eight wickets for just 40 runs in 7.3 overs. Even after 24 overs, the target was manageable: 40 runs required from 30 balls with six wickets in hand.

Captain Azizul, who scored 51 runs, remained the key hope. But once he fell in the 25th over, the momentum shifted completely. Bangladesh slipped to 129 for 5, and four more wickets followed for only 17 additional runs. In the 28th over alone, Al Fahad and Rizan Hossain were dismissed within the first three deliveries.

What had looked like a comfortable chase after the rain adjustment turned into a nightmare in the space of just 43 balls.

India’s bowlers were not unplayable; rather, Bangladesh’s batters fell victim to poor shot selection and avoidable mistakes. Azizul and Samiun Bashir were dismissed attempting big hits, while Al Fahad was run out when a dive could have saved him. Bihan Malhotra starred with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 14 runs in 4 overs, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Earlier, India’s innings was built on two strong performances. Vaibhav Suryabanshi scored 72 off 67 balls, reaching his half-century in just 30 balls and becoming the youngest player in Under-19 World Cup history to score a fifty at 14 years and 296 days. After his dismissal, Abhigyan Kundu anchored the innings with 80 runs from 112 balls. For Bangladesh, pacer Al Fahad claimed 5 wickets for 38 runs.

There was also brief controversy at the toss, where acting Bangladesh captain Jawad Abrar did not shake hands with India captain Ayush Mhatre. The Bangladesh Cricket Board later clarified that the incident was unintentional and caused by momentary oversight, stressing there was no disrespect intended. Players from both teams shook hands after the match.

Summary Scores

India Under-19: 238 all out (48.4 overs)
Kundu 80, Suryabanshi 72; Fahad 5/38

Bangladesh Under-19: 146 all out (28.3 overs)
Azizul 51, Rifat 37; Bihan 4/14

Result: India Under-19 won by 18 runs (DLS method)
Player of the Match: Bihan Malhotra