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 Shakibﷺ-al-Hasan was banned for one year ൩for 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 booki📖ng their berth in the finals of 𝐆the 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 proceed💛ings 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 s💧core 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 ꦓthe times have been crunch makes the finals on February 9 a mouth-wa✤tering contest and one for interesting viewing.
Bangladesh are going to the final! | |
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup)
For his century that helped his country into an U19 World Cup final for the first time ever, Mahmudul Hasan Joy is today's Shotmaker. |
— ICC (@ICC)
