Defending champions Bangladesh secured a 45-run win against their Afghanistan counterparts in the Under-19 Asia Cup opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Azizul Hakim Tamim played the captain鈥檚 knock, smashing a brilliant 133-ball 103 with Kalam Siddiki Aleen contributing 66 to help Bangladesh set 229 runs.
Pace duo Al Fahad (3-36) and Iqbal Hossain Emon (3-40) each picked three wickets to restrict the Afghans to 183 runs in 47.5 overs.
After being invited to bat first, junior Tigers found themselves in trouble when opener Zawad Abrar was dismissed for a duck by Abdul Aziz, who finished with 2-29.
Then, skipper Azizul and Kalam forged a 142-run partnership to steady their ship until right-arm spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar broke through to remove Kalam after 35.3 overs.
Bangladesh continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, but Azizul held his nerve to complete his century, which included eight boundaries and four sixes.
Apart from Aziz, Nasratullah Nooristani and Khatir Stanikzai also scalped two apiece.
In defending the target, Bangladesh kept the batters in check, witnessing Afghanistan lose their last five wickets for just 13 runs.
Faisal Khan Ahmadzai top-scored with 58 in 58 balls and Naseer Khan Maroofkhil made 34 runs for Afghans.
