The senior team of Bangladesh has only caused agony to their die-hard supporters with a win-less 2020 until now. They were also thrashed by the Indians in the two-match Test series in India in the latter half of 2019 after their talisman Shakib-al-Hasan was banned for one year for not disclosing details about spot-fixing.
However, against all odds, the young Turks of Bangladesh U19 team created quite a stir in the cricketing world by booking their berth in the finals of the coveted tournament. They beat favourites Kiwis by a handsome margin of six wickets, shepherded by Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s 100 of 127 balls.
This is the first time Bangladesh went into the finals of an ICC tournament, to heal some of the wounds of the Bangladeshi fans. Skipper Akbar Ali won the toss and elected to field first, restricting the Kiwis to a below-par score of 211 at the surface offered at Potchefstroom.
Pacer Shoriful Islam put the brakes on the Kiwi proceedings with his three wickets while Hasan Murad and Shamim Hussain chipped in with a couple of wickets each. It was only due to Beckham Wheeler-Greenall’s unbeaten knock of 75, which enabled the Black Caps to post some sort of a challenging total in front of the Tigers.
The chase looked an entirely different proposition with the two early wickets within the powerplays and the score at 32. However, Mahmudul was ably supported by chanceless partnerships from Towhid Hridoy and Shahadat Hossain, who both scored priceless 40’s.
This auspicious win in the semi-finals means they meet defending champions India in the finals of the U19 World Cup for the first time in their cricketing history. Also, the fact that Indo-Bangladesh rivalries in the times have been crunch makes the finals on February 9 a mouth-watering contest and one for interesting viewing.
Bangladesh are going to the final!#U19CWC | #NZvBAN | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/p1o3XXhazT
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 6, 2020
For his century that helped his country into an U19 World Cup final for the first time ever, Mahmudul Hasan Joy is today's @oppo Shotmaker.#U19CWC | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/TFggDfwXzV
— ICC (@ICC) February 6, 2020
