Bangladesh Under-19 eye semi-final berth

Bangladesh colts are just a win away from playing in the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup for the first time.

Sports Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 4 Feb 2016, 02:23 PM
Updated : 4 Feb 2016, 02:23 PM

Skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz said sealing a spot in the last four would be a big feat.

Bangladesh will take on Nepal in the Super League quarter-finals at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday morning.

Crashing out from the group stages, Bangladesh ended up in the Plate Championship six times out of the nine times they participated in the tournament. They lost in the quarters on three other occasions.

In this edition, they romped to the last eight with full points on offer in the pool phase.

Facing Nepal in the Super League stage, Miraz is confident the team will make to the semis for the first time.

"Bangladesh have never played the semi-finals before. So winning against Nepal will be a great achievement," the captain said on Thursday.

"We can't lose from where we are now. Losing will mean elimination, so we will be more focussed. We can't take anyone lightly.

"We know about Nepal. No reason to take them lightly. Since they made it to the quarters, they are definitely a good team."

Bangladesh's most successful Under-19 campaign was back in 2006 when they lost to England to depart from quarter-final stage in Sri Lanka. They ended fifth in that tournament.

The team was led by Mushfiqur Rahim and boasted the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.

"Mushfiq and others were at this position, but unfortunately they could not make it. That will be our inspiration. We have the chance to enter the semis for the first time," Miraz said.