Bangladesh beat India in tense finish at Albany

India's Under-19 World Cup team came back to earth with a heavy thud today after their demolition of South Africa yesterday, going down by two wickets to Bangladesh.

In the ICC Under-19 World Cup battle of the subcontinent neighbours, the Bangladeshi opening attack of Ashiqur Rahman (three for 17 off 10) and Shafaq Al Zabir (two for 21 off nine) tore through the Indian top order, literally in the case of Paul Valthaty, the opener needing a trip to hospital after Shafaq got one through his visor.

India never recovered from the early damage as the Bangladeshis, looking far happier with themselves than after they allowed Canada in for a tie on Tuesday, took full advantage of a two-faced Albany pitch and some tentative Indian batting.

Only Stuart Binny (17), the last man Siddarth Trivedi (16 not out) and extras (18) managed to reach double figures in a score of 77.

While the rest of the Bangladeshi bowlers were left to share the crumbs deposited by their opening duo, there was time to glimpse the bowling skills of their Test batsman, Mohammad Ashraful, spinning a web around the Indians.

His three overs cost just three runs for the wicket of Binny when the Indian all-rounder was threatening to become established.

With a mediocre score to defend, the Indians were not about to lie down.

Lift from a good length interspersed with low balls kept the Bangladesh batsmen watchful. Enthusiastic, if unsuccessful, appealing tightened the tension.

The task was clearly not easy. A mixture of caution, occasional shots in anger and a liberal contribution from wides saw Bangladesh through to 50/4 at the lunch break.

Despite Bangladesh needing just 28 after lunch, survival became just as important as runs.

The Indian pace duo, Trivedi (three for 24) and Chandrashekar Atram (two for 24), took up where their Bangladeshi counterparts left off, enjoying a pitch that gave them considerable help. Fifty for four was soon 52/6.

Their departure from the crease provided little relief as 63/6 became 64/8 before Ali Arman and Ashiqur saw Bangladesh through to the victory in the 33rd over.

But what a struggle - the last 28 runs after lunch took 18 overs as the lower order withstood the Indian pressure - which at times tended towards over-enthusiastic.

Their contribution was recognised with the Man of the Match award for Ali's undefeated 12 as he led the crawl to 78/8 - of which extras contributed 27.

Bangladesh picked up a bonus point for their two-wicket win, leaving their future in the tournament in the hands of the South Africa-Canada match tomorrow. India had already booked their ticket south but will make the trip with some trepidation.