NEW DELHI: Abhigyan Kundu and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit fighting half-centuries but a brilliant five-wicket haul from pacer Al Fahad helped Bangladesh bowl out India for 238 in their Under-19 World Cup clash on Saturday.

India suffered early damage after Bangladesh won the toss on a rain-affected day and put the batters under constant pressure with disciplined bowling. Teenage opener Vaibhav was forced into an unusually cautious approach as he scored 72 off 67 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes.

Kundu then held the innings together from the lower order with a composed 80 off 112 balls, striking four fours and three sixes. He made the most of two chances and guided India past the 200-run mark after a 65-minute rain delay reduced the contest to 49 overs.

Al Fahad shines with the ball

Al Fahad was the standout performer despite battling cramps, returning impressive figures of 5 for 38 in 9.2 overs. Mixing his pace well and bowling hard lengths, he troubled the Indian batsmen throughout the innings.

He removed Kundu in the 47th over as the keeper-batter charged down the track, before dismissing Deepesh Devendran to complete his five-for and end India’s innings in 48.4 overs.

Skipper Azizul Hakim provided solid support with a probing spell of 2 for 42, which included a maiden over.

Middle-order resistance and late control

Hakim’s wickets included Kanishk Chouhan, who looked fluent during a 54-run partnership off 45 balls with Kundu in the middle phase. Chouhan struck four boundaries before being deceived by Hakim and dismissed for 28 off 26 balls just as India tried to push the scoring rate.

Bangladesh had already struck three times inside the powerplay, making full use of the conditions. Al Fahad was on a hat-trick in his second over, first removing India captain Ayush Mhatre for 6 and then bowling Vedant Trivedi for a golden duck with a delivery that seamed away.

Vaibhav, meanwhile, steadied himself after two wickets fell in two balls in the third over. He added a cautious stand of over 40 runs with Vihaan Malhotra, who struggled for fluency and made 7 off 24 balls before becoming the third wicket to fall inside the powerplay.

With wickets tumbling, Vaibhav found support in Kundu as the pair rebuilt patiently with a 62-run stand off 101 balls. Just as Vaibhav looked ready to shift gears, Iqbal Hossain Emon dismissed him as he mistimed a pull, with Al Fahad completing the catch.

Rain stopped play when India were 192 for 6 in the 39th over, but Bangladesh stayed in control after the restart and wrapped up the innings without allowing a late surge.

(With PTI Input)