Bangladesh U19 team has created history after reaching the final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020. It will be their first final in U19 CWC history.
On Thursday (6th February), Bangladesh U19 and New Zealand U19 teams met in the second semi-final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 at Senwes Park (Potchefstroom). While the young Blackcaps were restricted to 211/8 (50 overs), Bangladesh colts chased down that target in 44.1 overs after losing four wickets.
Bangladesh captain Akbar Ali decided to field first after winning the toss. From the beginning of that game, the Asian players were putting strong pressure on the Kiwi youngsters as the batting side was losing wickets at regular intervals. Apart from the 67 runs partnership for the fifth wicket between Nicholas Lidstone and Beckham Wheeler-Greenall, there was no other solid partnership in New Zealand innings.
While Beckham Wheeler-Greenall remained not out on 75 runs off 83 balls (5 fours and 2 sixes), Nicholas Lidstone lost his wicket on 44 runs. Only Fergus Lellman (24) was the other man in that innings to reach the 20-run mark.
Among the Bangladesh bowlers, the left-arm medium-pacer Shoriful Islam (3/45) took three wickets. Off-spinner Shamim Hossain (2/31) and left-arm spinner Hasan Murad (2/34) also picked up two wickets each. Another left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan (1/35) also managed to pick up one wicket.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy hit a century
In reply, Bangladesh U19 openers lost their wickets cheaply (Parvez Hossain Emon 14 & Tanzid Hasan 3). However, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Towhid Hridoy handled that situation well with the 68 runs partnership for the third wicket.
After Hridoy was stumped out on 40 runs, Shahadat Hossain built up the 101 runs partnership with Mahmudul for the fourth wicket. The Player of the Match Mahmudul played a great knock by scoring 100 runs off 127 balls (13 fours). Shahadat Hossain was not out on 40 runs and guided the team to the safe victory.
In the first semi-final of this tournament on last Tuesday (4th February), the defending champions India U19 thrashed the Pakistan U19 by 10 wickets.
ICC U19 CWC 2020 final: India U19 vs Bangladesh U19
On this Sunday (9th February), India U19 and Bangladesh U19 will meet in the final of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 at JB Marks Oval (Potchefstroom). It will be the first final for Bangladesh side in this tournament history. Their previous record was finishing at third place in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016.