Clinical Bangladesh ensure Zimbabwe finish U19 WC winless

A clinical performance from Bangladesh saw them end their 2026 Under-19 World Cup campaign on a high as they beat Zimbabwe comfortably by 74 runs. Zimbabwe, co-hosts of the tournament, finished the World Cup winless despite making it to the Super Six stage.

Even though MD Rifat Beg raced to 15 off just 13 balls, Bangladesh slowed down after his departure. Zawad Abrar took 48 deliveries for his 25 and by the end of the 21st over, Bangladesh were stuttering at 80/3. Skipper Azizul Hakim Tamim then joined forces with Md Rizan Hossan to revive Bangladesh with a determined partnership.

The 73-run partnership gave Bangladesh an ideal platform for a big finish but once the half-centurion Hakim Tamim departed, Bangladesh lost their way. Zimbabwe kept pegging them back with regular wickets and Bangladesh needed a mini cameo from Al Fahad right at the end to breach 250.

Chasing 254, the task became herculean for the home side very early when Iqbal Hossain removed the openers. Kian Blignaut fell for just 1 as Zimbabwe were reduced to 15/3 and then 42/4 to pretty much throw in the white towel. Skipper Simbarashe Mudzengerere put on a fight by stroking a half-century but the rest of the batters crumbled around him. The skipper was the 9th batter to get dismissed after Iqbal Hossain completed his five-fer. Eventually, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 179 in the penultimate over.

The win helped Bangladesh finish above New Zealand in the Super Six standings whereas Zimbabwe finished bottom of the group with four losses in four games. Zimbabwe failed to win a game in the league stage as well but managed to reach Super Six on the basis of their NRR.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 253/9 in 50 overs (Azizul Hakim Tamim 59, Md Rizan Hossan 47; Michael Blignaut 2/41) beat Zimbabwe 179 in 48.4 overs (Simbarashe Mudzengerere 70; Iqbal Hossain Emon 5/24, Al Fahad 3/39) by 74 runs.