Sarfaraz guides India colts to tri-series triumph

Kolkata, November 29

India put up a spirited bowling performance before Mumbai youngster Sarfaraz Khan struck an unbeaten half-century to steer the team to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh and clinch the U-19 tri-series at the Jadavpur University second campus ground in Saltlake.

After bundling out Bangladesh for 116 in 36.5 overs, India reached 117 in just 13.3 overs, losing three wickets in the process.

Opting to bat, Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular interval. Left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar scalped three while Shubham Mavi (2/21) and Mahipal Lomror (2/11) claimed two wickets each. Chasing a modest target, India were struggling at 42/3 in 6.3 overs from 38 for no loss. But Sarfaraz, who plays for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy, steadied the boat.

He hit a blistering 27-ball 59 in the company of skipper Ricky Bhui (20; 20b, 4x4) to put up an unbroken 75-run match-winning partnership and chase down the target in the 14th over.

The burly Mumbai right-hander, who had a quiet tournament before today's match, returned to form with a superb knock. He was particularly brutal against Bangladesh left-arm spinner Saleh Ahmed Shawon Gazi as he raced to the fastest half-century of the tournament with the help of nine fours and three sixes.

Gazi conceded 15 and 20 runs from his ninth and 11th overs, respectively with Sarfaraz striking four, six and four before following it up with 4-6-4-4 in the next over to reach to his fifty in 23 balls.

Delhi left-hander Rishabh Pant, who topped the run charts (282) with a ton and two half-centuries from four matches, was adjudged the man of the series.

Brief scores: Bangladesh U-19: 116 all out in 36.5 overs (NH Shanto 45; M Dagar 3/32, M Lomror 2/11, S Mavi 2/21); India U-19: 117/3 in 13.3 overs (S Khan 59 no, R Pant 26, R Bhui 20 no). — PTI