A scintillating century by Mahmudul Hassan Joy has propelled Bangladesh to their first U19 ICC World Cup final with a commanding 6 wicket win over New Zealand in second semi-final.
Bangladesh comfortably overhauled the meager target of 212 for victory with 35 balls remaining at Potchefstroom in South Africa on Thursday Feb.6).
Joy was out just after scoring the brilliant hundred when Bangladesh was 11 runs away from the victory.
Shamim Hossain in the next over sealed the win hitting a four after Shahadat Hossain (40 off 51) had levelled the score.
Besides Shahadat, Joy also partnered with Towhidul Hridoy (40 off 47) in his 127-ball innings with 13 boundaries.
Captain Akbar Ali opted to field first after Bangladesh won the toss and the decision was vindicated soon as New Zealand lost four wickets for 74.
Beckham Wheeler-Greenall (75* off 83) and Nicholas Lidstone (44 off 74) then steadied the innings.
Wheeler-Greenall ran rampant in the dying overs smashing five boundaries and two sixes as New Zealand took 72 off the last 10 overs to reach 211 for eight.
Right-arm off-break bowler Shamim led the early attack with two wickets in his six overs, including a maiden.
Shoriful Islam claimed three scalps and bowled two maiden overs for 45 runs while Hasan Murad took two for 34.
Rakibul Hasan bowled three maiden overs as the New Zealand batsmen struggled to keep the wheel of runs rolling.
In the final next Sunday, Bangladesh will play defending champions India, who beat Pakistan by 10 wickets in the other semi-final.