ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup 2020, Semi-final 2, New Zealand v Bangladesh: Preview, likely XI, prediction

Who will meet India in the final of the ICC U19 CWC 2020? That’s the big question that will be answered when New Zealand take on Bangladesh in the second semi-final at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

New Zealand are, as always, the neutral’s favourite, especially after the manner in which they dug in and came from behind to beat West Indies in the quarter-final. They were struggling for most parts in the match, but in true New Zealand fashion, they kept going and an unbroken 86-run stand for the eighth wicket helped them past the line with just two balls remaining.

It remains one of the matches of the tournament. And Bangladesh will have taken note of how New Zealand could fight their way to tough situations. However, they would have also have noticed another thing: New Zealand’s batters have struggled against sub-continent teams, and particularly, spinners.The Indian duo of Ravi Bishnoi and Atharva Ankolekar took seven wickets between them to bundle New Zealand out for 147 in their league clash.

That will put the Bangladesh spinners on high alert, particularly Rakibul Hasan, who took a sensational 5/19 against South Africa in the quarter-final. The battle between the New Zealand batsmen and spin will be the deciding factor tomorrow. It should be an interesting viewing.

Head to head

At this level, there have been nine matches between these sides. Bangladesh have won six to New Zealand’s three. That includes three wins in four matches in Lincoln last year when Bangladesh toured New Zealand.

Key players

Kristian Clarke (New Zealand): Twice now, Clarke has pulled New Zealand’s chestnuts out of the fire. He did that against Sri Lanka and then against West Indies, each time in nail-biting chases. He is also crucial with the ball, though, and took 4/25 against West Indies in the quarter-final. He’s quite a player.

Rakibul Hasan (Bangladesh): Spin will play a big role in this match, and Rakibul will be crucial to that end. In similar circumstances, he took 5/19 against South Africa, dismantling the home side, and he’ll once again hope to unleash the mysteries of spin against young teams not used to anything of the sort.

Likely XIs

New Zealand: Rhys Mariu, Ollie White, Fergus Lellman, Jesse Tashkoff (c), Quinn Sunde (wk), Simon Keene, Beckham Wheeler-Greenall, Aditya Ashok, Joe Field, Kristian Clarke, David Hancock

Bangladesh: Parvez Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Towhid Hridoy, Shahadat Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Akbar Ali (c/wk), Rakibul Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Murad

Prediction

New Zealand to surprise everyone and sneak through.