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Ireland’s under-19’s began their World Cup warm-up campaign on Saturday with a 126-run defeat at the hands of an impressive Afghanistan side in Savar, Bangladesh.
Final Scorecard – Click Here

It will have been a steep learning curve for the Irish boys, however they were always going to be up against it after Afghan skipper, Ihnsanullah, had made a superb century that allowed his side to post a daunting target of 277 from their 50 overs.

Tom Stanton gave Ryan Eagleson’s charges a good start when he split the openers in the 6th over before Rory Anders and Josh Little helped keep things under control with some impressive bowling. At 104 for 3 in the 28th Ireland were well in it before Ihnsanullah and Tariq (40) shared a 100-run stand for the 4th wicket.

With that platform the batting side then pushed on in the latter stages with the skipper reaching a brilliant 133 (14 fours, 4 sixes) before being finally bowled by the impressive Anders. Rashid Khan (32) completed a really strong showing from the Afghans with both teams playing 15-a-side, both Anders and Little were excellent for Ireland. Ireland took the final six wickets in the final 10 balls of the innings, and Anders three wickets in the space of four balls.

The Phoenix youngster finished with figures of 5-40- a brilliant effort in the circumstances- while Josh Little belied his 16 years with another impressive spell of 3-49. The Pembroke left arm seamer was identified by Phil Simmons a couple of years ago as having outstanding potential on the big stage and the West Indian doesn’t look far off the mark on this evidence.

Unfortunately Ireland’s batting didn’t hold up in reply and once they lost Stephen Doheney and Adam Dennison very cheaply it was backs to the wall. Skipper, Jack Tector, and Gary McClintock (16) helped stabilise things just a touch, however the Afghan bowlers always looked in control.

Tector made 37 before being caught and bowled by Zia-ur-Rehman and it took an excellent effort from Lorcan Tucker in the middle order after that to get Ireland to 151 against an excellent bowling line-up. Tucker remained defiant despite wickets tumbling frequently at the other end; hitting 7 fours in his unbeaten 59 as Ireland were bowled in the 45th over.

To their credit, this was impressive from the Afghanistan bowlers and the 8 used were all on target. Ur-Rehman (2-7 from 6 overs) and Karim Jamat (2-12 from 6) were the pick as their side won this with plenty in hand.

For Eagleson, the performances of Anders, Little, Tector and Tucker were certainly positives; however there remains plenty to work on before the competition starts in earnest. He said, “It was a very tough test for the boys against a very impressive Afghan side.

“Anders and Little bowled well and showed great control and deserved to pick up their wickets. Jack tector looked in good form at the top of the order and Lorcan Tucker showed his class with a eye catching innings.

“Areas to work on tomorrow at practice before warm up game against Canada.” That game against Canada takes place on Monday, with the first match of the tournament against India on Wednesday.

U-19 World Cup warm-up

At Savar, Afghanistan beat Ireland by 126 runs Final Scorecard – Click Here

Afghanistan 277 (50 overs, Ihnsanullah 133, Tariq 40, R Khan 32, K Janat 24, I Faizi 20, R Anders 5-40, J Little 3-49)

Ireland 151 (44.3 overs, L Tucker 59*, J Tector 37, Z ur-Rehman 2-7, K Jamat 2-12)

You can see all the results and scorecards from the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in our Tables and Results section here.

You can follow Ireland’s U19 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign on www.cricketireland.ie and by following Cricket Ireland on Twitter @Irelandcricket, Facebook & Instagram.

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