Bangladesh captain Mahmudul Hasan, who have been showing consistence in his performance recently, said: “Our target is to reach the last four (of the U-19 World Cup) and we have the ability to do it.”

Addressing a pre-departure press conference at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium this (Wednesday) afternoon, he said they have taken good preparations ahead of the meet. “We will try our best to perform well.”

Expressing some concern about their bowling department especially in pace bowling, the Bangladesh skipper, however, said they have a strong fielding side

Head Coach of Bangladesh team and former national skipper Minhajul Abedin Nannu and Bangladesh Team Manager Tanjeeb Ahsan Saad also spoke on the occasion.

Nannu said the boys have been practicing well ahead of the World Cup. They gained experience through domestic league and played some practice matches to prepare for the World Cup.

“We started our (World Cup) mission last April and have played a good number of home and away matches against England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.”

He added: It’s true we have not played in New Zealand conditions before but the trip to England last year should certainly help us in coping with NZ conditions.

Replying to a question, the Head Coach said the team has been formed the World Cup based on individual performance. The boys are also mentally fit and ready to give their best.

“We’ve three players who I believe would do well at any level. Opening batsman Anamul Haque has been a brilliant find. He is very positive and fearless. Skipper Mahmudul Hasan has been our most consistent performer with both bat and ball while Shabbir Rahman is an exciting leg-break bowler who also has tremendous ability with the bat.”

Nannu said he was also excited with the fact that “we are taking two specialist leg spinners (Shabbir and Nur Hossain) to New Zealand.”

Bangladesh has been placed in Group D of the Youth World Cup with Pakistan, West Indies and Papua New Guinea.

Bangladesh will play their first match against Papua New Guinea on January 16 at the Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North, play their 2nd match against West Indies on Jan 17 and the third match against Pakistan on Jan 20 at the same venue.

Bangladesh will also play two official practice matches in New Zealand ahead of the meet.

Bangladesh Under-19 squad: Mahmudul Hasan (captain), Alauddin Babu, Amit Majumder (Vice-Captain), Anamul Haque (WK), Arman Badsha, Abul Hasan Raju, Kamrul Islam, Mominul Hoque Sourav, Nur Hossain, Nurul Hasan (WK), Saikat Ali, Shabbir Rahman, Shaker Ahmed, Soumya Sarkar and Tasamul Hoque.

Hasan swept left-armer Mathusha Perera’s second ball of the final over to the square leg boundary before squeezing a couple and a single to reach the victory target of 198 runs with two balls to spare.

Hasan, who scored an unbeaten 30 off 51 balls, added 55 with Shaker (26*) when victory looked improbable.

All-rounder Sabbir Rahman (28) departed in the 35th over to leave the home side at 143 for eight but Hasan and number ten Shaker calmly collected ones and twos to keep the scoreboard moving. There were a couple of anxious moments when Hasan survived a caught and bowled chance and then a run out when a better throw from long-off would have got him as he was almost stranded in mid-pitch with his partner slipping at the batting end. As the Bangladesh side edged closer the tension got to the Sri Lankan fielders who became erratic with their throws in the final PowerPlay.

Earlier, Kusal Perera held the visitors’ innings together with 68 after the home bowlers stuck to a good line and length. He struck five boundaries and a six in his 85-ball knock.

Hasan, who was later adjudged man-of-the-match, took two wickets and so did legspinners Noor Hossain and Sabbir Rahman.

The last one-day match will take place at the same venue tomorrow.