Sports Reporter :
The Junior Tigers bade ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup good-bye when they lost to West Indies by three wickets in the second semi-final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday.
By virtue of yesterday’s nail-biting victory, the Caribbeans reached the final of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup final. West Indies will face India in the final at the same venue on February 14.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh scored a fighting total of 226 off 50 overs.
In reply, West Indies reached the winning spot making 230 for the loss of eight wickets when they had just eight balls to spare.
Bangladesh made a meager start as they lost their early two wickets for 27 runs.
Then Joyraz Sheikh and Nazmul Hossain Shanto added together 31 runs before inform-Shanto (11) was caught at the cover by S Hetmyer off R John when Bangladesh’s score was 58 for the loss of three wickets.
After dismissal of Shanto, Joyraz Sheikh and Zakir Hasan contributed together 30 runs before Joyraz Sheikh was bowled by S Springer when Bangladesh’s total was 88 for the loss of four wickets.
Later, Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Saifuddin built the highest partnership for the Junior Tigers. They put on together 85 runs in the sixth wicket stand before Miraz was caught at the mid-off by MO Frew off K Paul when Bangladesh’s score was 198 for the loss of six wickets.
After departure of Miraz, Mohammad Sifuddin was bowled by K Paul’s next delivery.
Miraz hit a marvelous 60 from 74 balls featuring seven fours.
Besides, Mohammad Saifuddin and Joyraz Sheikh were the two notable scorers for Bangladesh. Saifuddin made 36 off 35 balls including three fours, while Joyraz Sheikh scored 35 from 54 balls hitting five fours before he was bowled by S Sprinzer.
Later, Sprinzer remained unbeaten with 62. His 88-ball worthy innings was decorated with seven fours and a sixer. He bagged a couple of wickets in the space of 36 runs. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
K Paul bagged three wickets at the cost of 20 runs, while CK Holder bagged a pair of wickets instead of 36 runs.
Later, West Indies made a good start as the two openers GD Pope and TA Imlach added together 44 runs the winning stand.
Then S Hetmyer and KU Carty made a notable partnership. They put on together 60 runs for the third wicket partnership Carty (22) was bowled by Saleh Ahmed Shaon the Caribbeans’ total was 118 for the loss of three wickets.
Captain of West Indies team Hetmyer was the other day’s notable scorer. He notched up 60 from 59 balls hitting seven fours and a sixer when the Islanaders’ total was 147 for the loss of four wickets.
Opener GD Pope the other batsman for West Indies. He hit 38 from 25 balls with five fours and two sixes.
Saleh Ahmed Shaon grabbed three wickets at the cost of 37 runs, while Mohamad Saifuddin and Mehedi Hasan Miraz got two wickets each conceding 46 and 57 runs respectively.
