DUBAI: The West Indies broke Bangladeshi hearts with a thrilling three-wicket win over the hosts in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Thursday to set up a final clash with India in the U19 World Cup.
Shamar Springer followed his 2-36 with an unbeaten 62, which steered the West Indies past Bangladesh’s 226 all out with eight balls to spare.
The West Indies, who had also reached the final when the tournament was staged in Bangladesh in 2004, will meet undefeated India for the title on Sunday. This will be the first-ever final between the two sides at the U19 level.
Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan top-scored with 60, reviving the innings with an 85-run stand for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Saifuddin (36), after half the side had been dismissed for 113 runs.
The West Indies lost wickets regularly to keep Bangladesh in the hunt till Springer built on skipper Shimron Hetmyer’s half-century to record a memorable victory.
Bangladesh, electing to bat on a misty morning, lost openers Pinak Ghosh and Saif Hassan by the seventh over to make it 27-2. They then slipped to 88-4 after star batsman Nazmul Hossain was dismissed for 11 and Joyraz Sheik fell for 35.Mehidy hit seven boundaries in Saifuddin’s company before both batsmen were dismissed off successive deliveries by seamer Keemo Paul.Mosabbek Hossain denied the bowler a hat-trick, but Paul finished with impressive figures of 3-20 from just three overs. Springer and Chemar Holder took two wickets apiece.
Gidron Pope provided the West Indies a swashbuckling start by taking 14 off the first over bowled by Mehidy before racing to 38 off 25 balls, which included five fours and a six.
Hetmyer took 16 deliveries to get off the mark before making a 59-ball 60 to lift his team to 147-3 in the 28th over.
West Indies moved to 177-4, needing just 50 more runs from 13 overs, when left-arm spinner Saleh Ahmed turned the game around with two wickets in the 38th over. Springer kept his end up and punished the loose balls before ending the match with two consecutive boundaries through the covers off Saifuddin.
“It’s a great feeling [to contribute in the win] and an even better feeling to be in the final; a dream come true,” said Springer. “It was quite a challenge out there, but I just backed myself to do well.”
