In an Under-19 Asia Cup match, a target of 284 runs is always massive—and Bangladesh’s young cricketers proved just how special their achievement was. In the 36-year history of the tournament, no team had ever successfully chased such a big total. That record was finally rewritten today by the Bangladesh Under-19 team at the ICC Cricket Academy ground in Dubai.

Playing their opening match of the 2025 Under-19 Asia Cup, Bangladesh chased down 284 runs to defeat Afghanistan Under-19 by three wickets, creating history. The previous highest successful chase in the Youth Asia Cup was 260 runs, achieved by India against Afghanistan in 2021 and by Pakistan against India in 2023.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Afghanistan Under-19 posted a strong 283 for 7, powered by a brilliant century from Faisal Shinazada. Bangladesh’s chase was set up by a dominant opening partnership between Jawad Abrar and Rifat Beg. The pair added 151 runs in just 26.4 overs. Rifat was dismissed for 62 off 68 balls, striking five fours and two sixes.

Jawad Abrar came agonisingly close to a century, falling for 96 when the team score was 170 for 2. His 112-ball knock included nine fours and six sixes. He was dismissed by Ruhullah Arab, brilliantly caught by Khatir Stanikzai, and sat down on the pitch in visible disappointment.

After the openers’ departure, captain Azizul Hakim and Kalam Siddiqui steadied the innings, but Bangladesh soon lost two wickets for 13 runs, creating pressure. The situation worsened briefly when Mohammad Abdullah and Samiun Basir were dismissed within three balls in the same over.

Bangladesh entered the 48th over needing 15 runs from 18 balls. Sheikh Parvez smashed a crucial six to reduce the equation, with 11 runs coming from the over. Parvez was later dismissed for 13 off 7 balls, but Shahriar Ahmed calmly took a single three balls later to seal the win. Bangladesh reached the target with seven balls remaining.

Earlier, Afghanistan’s Shinazada had scored 103 from 94 balls, his third century in youth ODIs against Bangladesh—more than any other player in such matches.

Bangladesh will face Nepal in their second group match on Monday. In the other Group B match today, Nepal suffered an eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan U-19: 283/7 in 50 overs (Shinazada 103, Niazai 44, Miakhil 38*, Sadat 34; Shahriar 2/43, Iqbal 2/63)

Bangladesh U-19: 284/7 in 48.5 overs (Jawad 96, Rifat 62, Azizul 47, Kalam 29; Stanikzai 2/46, Arab 2/48)

Result: Bangladesh U-19 won by 3 wickets

Player of the Match: Jawad Abrar