(ICC) Shadman Islam fell short of a century by three runs, but helped Bangladesh seal a 77-run victory over New Zealand to win the Plate Final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Chasing 224, New Zealand wasn’t comfortable at any stage, and Bangladesh went for the kill. The batsmen had no answers to Mosaddek Hossain, who returned figures of 4 for 23, and at 89 for 8, New Zealand was in danger of being bundled out for less than the 97 runs Islam alone had scored. But Brett Randell, the No. 9 batsman, fought valiantly with an unbeaten 51 to prevent that, though it was only small consolation for New Zealand as it finished at 146 for 9.
Earlier, New Zealand, who opted to field, was thwarted by a 124-run stand for the second wicket between Islam and Litton Das (79), the wicketkeeper. But after Das was caught behind off Dane Watson in the 28th over, a tired New Zealand unit was resuscitated and managed to make inroads thereafter. Das’ 75-ball knock included ten boundaries and a six.
Aside from Islam and Das, only Yasir Ali (16) reached double digits. Islam, though, was steady and was only dislodged in the 44th over after a 113-ball effort as Bangladesh posted 223 in 47 overs, a match-winning total in the end.
Brett Randell was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, finishing with 2 for 22 off eight overs. Watson finished with 2 for 49, while Kyle Jamieson, Shawn Hicks, Jeremy Benton and Henry Collier, who removed Islam, all accounted for a wicket each.
