Tigers thump Proteas by 7 wickets

Bangladesh recorded their 4th biggest win when they crushed South Africa by seven wickets with 134 balls remaining in the 2nd ODI of the 3-match series at Mirpur today.

A brilliant all-round effort from the Tigers leveled the series at 1-1 and ensured Champions Trophy qualification in the process.

Chasing 163, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah recorded the highest partnership of 135-runs for any wicket against South Africa to take their team home.

Man-of-the-match Soumya was unbeaten on 88 from 79 balls. He entertained the home crowd with 13 stylish boundaries and a huge six.

Mahmudullah was unlucky to fall at the cusp of victory after reaching his fifty.

He faced 64 balls and struck six boundaries in his knock

Kagiso Rabada was the most successful bowler for the Proteas. He picked up two wickets for 45 runs in seven overs.

With the series on the line, Bangladesh bowlers responded to the challenge with disciplined bowling to book South Africa for 162 runs.

Nasir Hossain captured three wickets for 26 runs in eight overs. Mustafizur Rahman also claimed three wickets for 38 in his quota of 10 overs.

Rubel Hossain took two while Mashrafe Mortaza and Mahmudullah picked a wicket each.

Faf du Plessis was the highest scorer for South Africa with 41 runs.

After reaching his half century, Mahmudullah perished the next ball when he flicked the delivery from Kyle Abbott straight to Amla at short midwicket.

Mahmudullah faced 64 balls and hammered six fours in his knock.

The 135-run stand between Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah for the 3rd wicket placed Bangladesh on the path to victory chasing the smallish total set by the visitors.

After the loss of early wickets, Soumya and Mahmudullah repaired the innings with sensible batting and selective aggression.

Softened by the short ball, Litton Das went for an across-the-line hack and found his off-stump uprooted by Rabada.

Litton’s cameo of 17 runs from 14 balls contained two fours and a massive six.

Tamim Iqbal fell early in the chase after scoring 5 runs when he dragged a shortish ball from Kagiso Rabada onto his stumps.

Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah recorded the highest stand against Proteas in the 2nd ODI of the 3-match series at Mirpur. Photo: STAR

Earlier, Farhaan Behardien was the last man out for the Proteas when Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza took his wicket in the 46th over.

Farhaan’s 36 from 44 balls ( 2 4s, 1 6s) gave some respectability to South Africa’s total after Bangladeshi bowlers struck at regular intervals.

South Africa lost their ninth wicket when Nasir picked up this third by trapping Kyle Abbot for only five runs.

Mustafizur’s off-cutter was too good for South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada as the batsman was bowled neck and croft for 10 runs.

Rabada was the eight wicket to fall at the score of 138, with Bangladesh all over the visitors.

Rubel took the seventh wicket for Bangladesh when Chris Morris was trapped in front of the stumps.

The full ball from Rubel swung in and struck Morris below the knee roll as the batsman was late onto the flick.

Mustafizur came back in his second spell and immediately struck gold with his off-cutter when he sent back JP Duminy for 13 runs.

Duminy was early into his stroke and drove the ball in the air to short cover where Sabbir Rahman obliged.

Nasir struck for the second time in this match when he dismissed the in-form Faf du Plessis for 41 runs.

Faf skipped down the track, lofted the ball right of long-on where Soumya Sarkar took a running catch. The Proteas batter played 64 balls and smashed three fours during his stay at the wicket.

Mahmudullah gave Tigers their fourth wicket when the dangerous David Miller flicked the ball straight down the throat of Mashrafe at midwicket.

Miller went down the track, couldn’t meet the pitch of the ball and tamely chipped his shot to the fielder after scoring nine runs.

Nasir Hossain struck with his first ball when Rilee Rossouw missed a straight delivery and saw his off-stump pegged back.

Rossouw wanted to slap the ball through covers after stepping away, didn’t manage to make contact and went back to the pavilion for 4 runs.

Rubel delighted the home crowd when he sent Amla’s off-stump cart wheeling with a superb delivery.

Back of a length ball swung in, Amla failed to connect and was sent back for 22 runs.

South Africa skipper faced 37 balls and struck three boundaries in his knock

Mustafizur Rahman gave Bangladesh the first breakthrough early when he sent back de Kock for only 2 runs.

The ball jumped up from a shortish length, took the shoulder of the bat and popped up for a simple catch to Sabbir at backward point.

Rubel Hossain is happy after sending back Proteas skipper Hashim Amla in the 2nd ODI at Mirpur. Photo: STAR

Bangladesh Team

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicketkeeper), Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza (Captain), Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman

South Africa Team

HM Amla (Captain), Q de Kock (Wicketkeeper), F du Plessis, RR Rossouw, DA Miller, JP Duminy, F Behardien, CH Morris, KJ Abbott, K Rabada and Imran Tahir