Holders Bangladesh emerged Group A champions with all-win record in the Youth Asia Cup Cricket tourney comprehensively beating United Arab Emirates by nine wickets in their last group tie at the Singapore Kalang Oval ground Thursday.

In the Friday's semi-finals, Bangladesh will take on Group B runners-up Papua New Guinea while Group B champions Nepal will play Group A runners-up Malaysia.

Earlier, Bangladesh confirmed both the group title and semi-final berth with one match to spare beating Hong Kong by eight wickets and Malaysia by six wickets.

A win in the semi-final will give Bangladesh the right to play in the Under-19 World Cup Cricket to be held in Sri Lanka next January.

In 1997, Bangladesh clinched the Youth Asia Cup title in Hong Kong beating Papua New Guinea, although they lost to PNG in the group match.

In the World Under-19 Cricket Championship held in South Africa in January last year, Bangladesh outplayed their Asian mate PNG by 161 runs in the second round match. Bangladesh clinched the Plate beating West Indies. They had also a win against England in the round robin league, who finally became the world youth champions.

In the day's last group match Thursday, Bangladesh won the toss and sent UAE to bat first in a water-soaked pitch and outfield.

The Arabian team could not settle in the wicket against Bangladesh attack and were dismissed for paltry 59 runs in 37.1 overs losing wickets at regular interval. No UAE batsman could reach the double figure mark.

Bangladesh new ball bowler Bikash Rana was adjudged man of the match claiming four wickets for 17 runs in 10 overs with a maiden.

All rounder Hannan Sarker and spinner Imran Rahim Lalu took two wickets each, both giving away seven runs in 4 and 4.1 overs respectively.

Skipper Fahim Muntasir Summit and pacer Tariqul captured one wicket each for four and nine runs in 4 and 8 overs respectively.

In reply, Bangladesh easily reached their target making 61 runs for the loss of one wicket in 12.5 overs with opening batsman and vice-captain Imran Ahmed contributing an unbeaten 37 runs off 38 balls.

Another opener Mohammad Selim was the lone Bangladesh batsman to fall on the day. He scored 16 runs off 35 balls before caught by Miraj off a Usman delivery.

After the dismissal of Selim at team total on 57 in 12.2 overs, Hannan Sarker came to bat and lead the team towards victory making not out with two runs off one ball.