Bangladesh beat S Africa in style
3 match series now level at 1-1 ;
Tigers confirm champions trophy berth
Sports Reporter
Opener Soumya Sarkar led Bangladesh clinching a sensational seven-wicket victory over South Africa, to snap the defeat jinx, in the second one-day international yesterday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital.
It took Bangladesh eight years and eight matches to win over the Proteas since the heroic victory in 2007 World Cup and it came with an added bonus. Bangladesh confirmed the berth in ICC Champions Trophy 2017, to be hosted by England, for the first time since 2006 in addition to levelling the three-match series.
Bangladesh bowlers paved the way for the victory, after three straight defeats against the Proteas, by wrapping up the opponent for 162 in 46 overs, the lowest score of South Africa against Bangladesh. On a slower pitch where South African batsmen found batting a tough job, Bangladesh batted aggressively to gun down the target within 27.4 overs.
It was South Africas lowest score after batting first in an ODI since November 2009, when they were bowled out for 119 by England. Here the Proteas were strangled by both seam and spin bowling to loss the momentum.
Soumya played the anchor role after being criticised of not carrying his innings. He was warned and inspired by BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon ahead of the second match which is believed to have been working well in regaining his ability to play big knocks.
He took the mighty South African bowling in utter derision to smash an unbeaten 88 off 79, including one six and 13 fours. The lone six of his innings sealed the deal in an emphatic fashion after Kagiso Rabada parried it despite a giant leap at deep-midwicket.
The youngster was aided by Mahmudullah Riyad combining for a 135-run, Bangladeshs highest ever partnership in any wicket against South Africa.
After Rabada (2 for 45) short balls left the Tigers in tittering 24 for two, the pair started rebuilding the innings and got separated when the side was four runs shy of the victory. Kyle Abbott broke the partnership dismissing Mahmudullah Riyad on 50, only to reduce the margin, but afterwards Soumya needed no one to complete the job. Riyad struck six fours in his 64 balls innings.
Soumyas struggled initially when Rabada, fresh from his record six for 16, unsettled Bangladesh batsmen, bowling with aggression and a tight length. Rabada nabbed Tamim (5) with a short-pitched delivery before dismissing Litton Das (17), who counter-attacked in style but couldnt sustain against a barrage of short balls.
For Soumya, it mattered little. He went after the mighty Proteas once he got set. He dictated the visitors who were also surprisingly not electric at ground fielding.
Bangladesh bowlers, earlier, put in a disciplined performance to raise the prospects of levelling the series after losing the first match by eight wickets.
Part time offspinner Nasir Hossain (3-26) and left arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman (3-38) wreaked havoc among the Proteas batting line up after they decided to bat first. Fast bowler Rubel Hossain, who returned to the team replacing leg-spinner Juabir Hossain, claimed 2-34 to complement the job of Nasir and Mustafizur.
Faf Du Plessis was the highest scorer for South Africa with 41 while Farhan Behardien scored 36 to help the side move past the 150-run mark.
After the record-breaking series against India, Mustafizur was initially well-marshaled by South Africa but he was at his best again in removing Quinton de Kock (2) early. The slower nature of the wicket made the batting tough but Du Plessis and Hashim Amla looked comfortable and kept the scoreboard moving with a series of singles and doubles.
However, as Nasir induced Du Plessis to a catch at long-on that Soumya Sarkar held on to, the hosts came on top and never let it go. Du Plessis hit three fours in his 41 off 64.
Du Plessis dismissal exposed South Africas late middle order which had thus far not been called upon. And it also made sure that South Africa could not make a big score.
Farhar Behardien plundered the Tigers bowlers at the death to score 36 off 44 balls, including two fours and a six. But his initiative was not enough to reach 184 that was South Africas previous lowest score against Bangladesh at the 2007 World Cup which they lost by 67 runs. It was only the second time Bangladesh has bowled out South Africa in an ODI since that match.
The third match is on Wednesday at Chittagong which will determine the course of the series.
Champions
Trophy Equation
Unless more matches are added to the International schedule for Pakistan or West Indies within the cut-off date for the qualification on September 30, 2015, Bangladesh are certain to play the 2017 Champions Trophy in England. Bangladesh are currently ranked seventh in the ICC ODI rankings, with Pakistan and West Indies below them. They have 94 rating points and have guaranteed their qualification for the 2017 Champions Trophy. If Bangladesh lose the last ODI of the series, they will drop to 93 rating points, which will still be enough to ensure their berth because there is no scenario in which both Pakistan and West Indies can each achieve 93 rating points.
Tigers squad for 1st Test announced
New pace sensation Mustafizur Rahman has been drafted in for the first time as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday announced a 14-member squad for the opening Test against South Africa. The match will kick off in Chittagong on 21 July.
The 19-year-old left-arm pacer, who impressed in his limited-over debut earlier this year is yet to make his debut in the longer version of the game.
Experienced batsman Mahmudullah Riyad made a return to the fold after having recovered from a finger injury.
Chairman of BCB National Selection Panel Faruque Ahmed said Mustafizurs inclusion was a reward for his consistency and also for the potential he possessed.
The chairman of selectors added that there was a good balance in the side with the return of Mahmudullah.
Bangladesh squad:
Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain), Tamim Iqbal (Vice Captain), Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Hoque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Ryad, Soumya Sarker, Nasir Hossain, Taijul Islam, Zubaer Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Shahid and Mustafizur Rahman.
SCOREBOARD
South Africa innings:
H Amla b Rubel 22
Q. de Kock c Sabbir b Mustafiz 2
F du Plessis c Soumya b Nasir 41
R Rossouw b Nasir 4
D Miller c Mashrafe b Riyad 9
J Duminy c Sabbir b Mustafiz 13
F Behardien c Nasir b Mashrafe 36
C Morris lbw b Rubel 12
K Rabada b Mustafiz 10
K Abbott lbw b Nasir 5
I Tahir not out 1
Extras (lb 4, w3) 7
Total (all out; 46 overs) 162
Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-45,
3-59, 4-74, 5-93, 6-100, 7-116, 8-138, 9-160, 10-162.
BOWLING O M R W
Mustafiz 10 1 38 3
Mashrafe 5 0 17 1
Shakib 10 0 30 0
Rubel 9 2 34 2
Nasir 8 0 26 3
M Riyad 4 0 13 1
Bangladesh innings:
Tamim b Rabada 5
Soumya not out 88
Litton b Rabada 17
M Riyad c Amla b Abbott 50
Shakib not out 0
Extras (w 5, nb 2) 7
Total (3 wickets; 27.4 overs) 167
Fall of wickets:1-5, 2-24, 3-159.
BOWLING O M R W
K Abbott 5 0 22 1
K Rabada 7 0 45 2
C Morris 3 0 29 0
I Tahir 8.4 1 40 0
J Duminy 2 0 20 0
F Behardien 2 0 11 0
