A fabulous knock by Mahmudul Hasan Joy has guided Bangladesh to enter into the finals of the ongoing U19 World Cup. They beat New Zealand by 6 wickets in the semi-final game played at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Thursday.
After bowling out Kiwis on 211, the ‘Tigers’ started to chase the set target. During the chase, Bangladesh lost their three wickets for 100, but then Mahmudul and Shahadat joined hands to get their team out of trouble. The duo added a 100-run stand to take the game away from New Zealand.
Mahmudul was the chief architect behind the successful chase. The right-handed batsman smashed a brilliant century to take his team in the finals. He scored 100 before getting caught and bowled by Jesse Tashkoff. Shahadat remained not out at 40 as Bangladesh reached the U19 World Cup final for the first time.
Wow, a very special knock from Mahmudul Hasan Joy.
Bangladesh are in touching distance of the #U19CWC final!#NZvBAN | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/CWQUAIkg5I
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 6, 2020
Bangladesh are going to the final!#U19CWC | #NZvBAN | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/p1o3XXhazT
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 6, 2020
Earlier, New Zealand had a terrible start as they lost their first wicket for just five runs. Top-order pair of Ollie White and Fergus Lellman tried to get their side out of early trouble, but they failed to do so as White got out when the Kiwis reached 31.
New Zealand kept on losing wickets at regular intervals, however, middle-order batsman Nicholas Lidstone and Beckham Wheeler-Greenall added a crucial partnership of 67 runs to help New Zealand post a competitive score. Lidstone scored 44 off 74 balls, whereas Beckham remained unbeaten on 83-ball 75.
For Bangladesh, left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam claimed the maximum three wickets, while Shamim Hossain and Hasan Murad got two each.
The Akbar Ali-led side will face their neighbors India in the finals of the mega event. The contest will take place on Sunday (Feb 09) at the same venue.
