Sports
After wrapping up the hosts for 154, it was only a matter of time for Bangladesh to make history in Centurion on Tuesday. They did it in style, romping home to a nine-wicket victory to close out their first ever series victory over South Africa away from home.
After Taskin Ahmed's tremendous bowling show, it was Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das who guided the Tigers to an imperious victory at the Centurion where they had taken a lead winning the first match of the series.
Tigers now finally won an ODI series in South Africa. Ahead of this series, Bangladesh had no wins against the Proteas in South Africa, and now, two wins under their belt in three matches.
Over the last few years, Bangladesh were waiting to march to the next level as an ODI force. But something was missing as they had no series win in any of these countries- South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia- which are often regarded as the toughest condition for the Asian sides.
With the series win over South Africa in a dominant fashion, Bangladesh now are finally on a new level as an ODI team a year away from the next 50-over World Cup.
With a target of 155, Tamim and Liton made an outstanding start scoring 127 in the first wicket stand. While Tamim continued after hitting a fifty full of shots around the wicket, Liton fell for 48 off 57 balls. When the right-hander fell prey to Keshav Maharaj, Bangladesh had little to do so to seal the series.
With Shakib hitting off Kagiso Rabada for a four in the 27th over, Bangladesh secured one of their biggest win by nine wickets with more than 23 overs to play.
Tamim was unbeaten for 87 while Shakib remained unbeaten for 18.
Earlier, riding on the brilliant pace-bowling display by Taskin, Bangladesh wrapped up South Africa for 154 in 37 overs.
Ahead of this match, the series was on parity 1-1. If Bangladesh can win this match, they will make a history of winning their maiden ODI series in the soil of South Africa.
South Africa won the toss and sent Bangladesh to bowl first. In the first wicket partnership, the hosts added 46 runs in just 6.5 overs. But after that, Taskin came to the fore and dismantled the batting line of the hosts.
Taskin started with the wicket of Kyle Verreynne. It was not the best delivery Taskin bowled in the match. It was short and wide, but Kyle only managed a bottom edge that has shattered his stumps when he was at 9 for 16 balls.
Mushfiqur Rahim took the catches on the other four occasions of Taskin's five wickets in this match.
After Kyle, Taskin removed Janneman Malan, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius and Kagiso Rabada. Apart from the first scalped, Taskin delivered nearly all the perfect short balls to bag wickets. He led the Tigers all the way with the ball.
Along the way, the right-arm pacer completed his second five-for in ODIs. His maiden five-wicket haul came in 2014 against India in Mirpur. That was his debut in the format. After about an eight-year-long gap, Taskin finally recorded his second five-for.
South Africa eventually tumbled for 154 for all wickets in 37 overs with Malan posting the highest of 39 runs. Their second-highest runs scorer was Keshav Maharaj with 28. He was trapped run-out by Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur as the last wicket.
The two teams will now take on each other in a two-match Test series from March 31.
Leave a Comment
Recent Posts
Interim Government committed t ...
Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam on Saturday night sa ...
Making sense of the interim go ...
The next round of consultations between the chief adviser’s offi ...
Japan’s parliament confirmed Shigeru Ishiba
Earthquakes in the Middle East
Shoppers back polythene ban, worry about alternative ..
As the country welcomed Durga Puja