Skipper Saif Hasan hit a fine 67 as the Bangladesh Under-19 team recorded a comprehensive four-wicket win against Afghanistan in their opening match of the ACC U-19 Asia Cup at the Uyanwatte Stadium in Matara today.

Chasing a modest 147 to win in 50 overs, the junior Tigers raced to victory in 43.3 overs. It could have been a victory by a bigger margin had Saif and Rayan Rafsan Rahman (32), who put on 74 runs for the fourth wicket, were not dismissed in quick succession. Both were out at 142 with Bangladesh needing another five runs for victory.

Saif struck 10 fours in his watchful 129-ball knock.

Earlier, the Bangladesh youths bowled their Afghanistan counterparts out for 146 with left-arm medium pacer Qazi Onik claiming four wickets for 22 runs in his eight overs. Right-arm pacer Mukidul Islam also picked up three wickets, giving away 29 runs.

The young Tigers never allowed the Afghan lightweights to break free after winning the toss and electing to field. Nasir Wahdat top-scored for Afghanistan with 32, while their captain Naveen-ul Huq hit a patient 27.