Bangladesh, India to clash in U-19 World Cup final

Bangladesh rode on Mahmudul Hasan Joy's hundred to down New Zealand and set up a title ICC U-19 World Cup final clash with India on Sunday.

Bangladesh players celebrate a wicket during their semifinal against New Zealand.

Bangladesh rode on Mahmudul Hasan Joy's hundred to down New Zealand by six wickets and set up a title ICC U-19 World Cup final clash with India on Sunday.

The title-clash against India on Sunday will be Bangladesh's first World Cup final in any format across age groups.

Chasing 211, Hasan Joy received able support from Towhid Hridoy (40) and Shahadat Hossain (40) to steer the Tigers' chase.

Earlier, Shorifu Islam, Shamim Hossain and Hasan Murad combined to restrict the Kiwis to 211 for eight in 50 overs.

Defending champion India beat Pakistan by 10 wickets in the other semifinal.

Bangladesh captain Akbar Ali said his team will have to play its best cricket to upstage India.

“We will play it as a normal game. We can’t take the pressure of thinking that this is our first final. India is a very good side, and we have to play our ‘A’ game. We have to do the best in all three departments. Bangladeshi cricket fans are crazy, and I hope we will continue to get the same support that we’ve been getting,” said Ali at the post-match presentation.

One can expect a close finish considering India scraped through by five runs in a low-scoring Asia Cup final against Bangladesh in September.

India were able to defend a paltry 105 by bowling out Bangladesh for 101 in the final held in Colombo.

With inputs from PTI