Semi-Final time at Senwes | PHOTOSPORT

Hard graft in NZ U19 World Cup Semi-Final

Posted Thursday, 6 February, 2020 in International Match Reports

ICC UNDER 19 CRICKET WORLD CUP 2020

SEMI-FINAL
BANGLADESH U19 beat NEW ZEALAND U19 by 6 wickets

Senwes Park, Potchefstroom, South Africa
6 February 2020

TOSS: Bangladesh, bowled first after overnight rain

SCORES

Bangladesh reached the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup final for the first time in history after Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s century helped them beat New Zealand by six wickets in an ultimately comfortable semi-final showdown at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom in South Africa’s North West province.

The right-hander struck exactly 100 off 127 balls to help his team chase down 212 in 44.1 overs after their bowlers earlier did the business with the ball to restrict NZ U19, New Zealand having been sent in after an overnight rainstorm, with the ball moving both in the air and off the pitch early.

Who would get to bowl first? | ICC/Getty

Conditions improved as the day warmed up, Bangladesh making the most of their opportunity despite good application with both bat and ball from a fighting New Zealand team.

New Zealand did well to navigate their way back into the match with the bat against a strong all-round attack, but couldn't defend the score once the Bangladesh batsmen settled in for a partnership.

The result sparked wild celebrations for the young Tigers and their supporters and set up a competition finale against back-to-back defending champions India.

“Today was a very special innings I played and I am proud of it,” man of the match Joy said.

Earlier, Shamim Hossain (2-31) had struck a big blow with the 11th ball of the match to remove NZ U19's form runscorer Rhys Mariu for just one run.

The spinner was a surprise choice to open the attack alongside tall List A paceman Shoriful Islam (3-45), while the crafty, leading spinner Rakibul Hasan (1-35) and Hasan Murad (2-34) made further inroads to have New Zealand in a spot at 74 for four.

Nicholas Lidstone had come into the XI for Simon Keene in the only change for the Kiwis since their exciting quarterfinal win over the West Indies a week ago.

Lidstone provided invaluable grist with his 44 as Beckham Wheeler-Greenall produced a shiny unbeaten 75 off 83 balls to help take them past 200 to a respectable total.

New Zealand did manage two big early breakthroughs in the form of Parvez Hossain Emon (14) and Tanzid Hassan (3), but Joy and Towhid Hridoy (40) put on 68 to steady the ship.

Captain Shahadat Hossain (40 not out) then helped complete the job alongside the centurion – the pair putting on 101 for the fourth wicket to send Bangladesh through.

New Zealand Under 19 went on to meet Pakistan Under 19 in the bronze medal playoff. However, the match was washed out. Pakistan claimed official third spot by virtue of having accrued more points than New Zealand in the Group phase, with New Zealand Under 19 fourth at the world tounament.

AS IT HAPPENED...

 

After a testing start, Oli White departs at 31/2 | ICC/Getty

24 for first drop Fergus Lellman | ICC/Getty

Nic Lidstone (44) was the only change to NZ's XI | ICC/Getty

Fighting their way back against a good attack | ICC/Getty

Beckham Wheeler-Greenall top-scored with 75 to give NZ U19 a total | ICC/Getty

Make that 32/2! | ICC/Getty

Hridoy and Mahmudul Hasan Joy fought back with the bat | ICC/Getty

Hridoy stumped! Adithya Ashok breaks the partnership at 100/3 with a beautifully drifted delivery!

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