In what will be a repeat of sorts of the 1983 Prudential World Cup, West Indies will face India in a World Cup final albeit at the Under-19 level.
West Indies U-19 defeated hosts Bangladesh by three wickets in the second semifinal of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur, on Thursday.
After bowling out Bangladesh for 226, West Indies chased down the target losing seven wickets and with eight deliveries to spare to make their second U-19 World Cup, 12 years after their first in the same country.
West Indies will be the underdogs in Sunday's final against the all-conquering Ishan Kishan-led Indian side. The West Indies team finds itself in a similar situation to what Kapil Dev's India were in 1983. West Indies were dominating world cricket in the 1980s and were nearly unbeatable, favoured to win the World Cup in 1983. But, rank outsiders India got the better of the Caribbeans in that historic final at Lord's cricket ground, the title that changed the face of Indian cricket.
The roles may be reversed as India are yet to be beaten in this tournament and are strong favourites to win the title, unless West Indies have other ideas.
Shamar Springer turned in a fine all-round performance with 2/36 and an unbeaten 62 to steer West Indies past a fighting Bangladesh.
Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan top-scored with 60, reviving the innings with a 85-run stand for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Saifuddin (36), after half the side had been dismissed for 113.
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.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 226 in 50 overs (Joyraz Sheik 35, Mehedi Hasan 60, Mohammad Saifuddin 36; Chemar Holder 2/37, Shamar Springer 2-36, Keemo Paul 3-20) lost to West Indies 230/7 in 48.4 overs (Gidron Pope 38, Shimron Hetmyer 60, S Springer 62*; M Hasan 2/57, Mohammad Saifuddin 2/46, Saleh Ahmed 3/37)
7th/8th place playoff: Namibia 225/9 in 45 overs bt Nepal 210 in 44.2 overs
15th/16th place playoff: Fiji 83 in 28 overs lost to Canada 84/2 in 20 overs
