Bangladesh Under-19s defeated India U-19 by four wickets to reach the final of the U-19 Asia Cup on Friday at UAE.

The clash, brimming with twists and turns, culminated in a four-wicket win for Bangladesh Under-19s, chasing down India Under-19s' total of 188 with 43 balls to spare.

Opting to field first after winning the toss, Bangladesh's decision seemed vindicated early on as their bowlers, led by Maruf Mridha's clinical spell (4/41), went through the Indian top order. Adarsh Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, and Uday Saharan fell cheaply, leaving India reeling at 13/3 in the 6th over.

However, the resilient batting displayed by Musheer Khan (50) and Murugan Abhishek (62) steadied the ship, guiding India to a competitive total of 188. Despite facing some challenges, India's tailenders contributed valuable runs, with Raj Limbani (11*) and Naman Tiwari (6) pushing the score to 188 for all wickets.

Bangladesh Under-19s encountered early setbacks in pursuit of the target, losing key wickets during the powerplay. Raj Limbani (2/47) and Naman Tiwari (3/35) applied pressure with crucial breakthroughs, but Ariful Islam emerged as the linchpin for Bangladesh. His scintillating knock of 94 runs off 90 balls, supported by Ahrar Amin's contribution of 44, propelled Bangladesh towards victory.

Despite a late surge from the Indian bowlers, with Saumy Pandey and Arshin Kulkarni keeping the contest alive, Bangladesh managed to cross the finish line with Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (3*) and Sheikh Paevez Jibon (2*) steering them to a win that guided them to the final of this year’s Asia Cup.

In the final, Bangladesh will take on the hosts, the UAE, on December 17th. The UAE beat Pakistan in the other semifinal by 11 runs on the same day.

MSH

Bangladeshi wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim is set to feature for Fortune Barishal in the forthcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Mushfiqur had played for Sylhet Strikers in the last edition. His price was fixed at 80 lakhs in the players' draft according to the category. Which means he was in 'A' category.

The top category player will play along with other star players like Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Khaled Ahmed in Fortune Barishal.

Neymar said he was relishing “new challenges and opportunities in new places” after he joined Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal Tuesday, becoming the latest big name lured to the oil-rich Gulf state.

The Brazil forward, 31, ends a six-year stay in the French capital and follows in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane in swapping Europe for the Middle East.

“I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” Neymar said in a statement from the Saudi Pro League.

“I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment,” he added.

Neymar was “in negotiations” on Sunday to become the latest football superstar to decamp for Saudi Arabia, leaving Paris Saint-Germain just as Kylian Mbappe was brought back in from the cold by the French champions.

A source close to PSG told AFP that 31-year-old Neymar “no longer figures in the club or manager’s plans” with the Brazilian immediately linked to Al-Hilal in the Gulf kingdom.

Another source in Saudi Arabia said that “direct negotiations” between Neymar’s agents and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) were ongoing.