Tigers level series

FE Team | Published: July 13, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Bangladesh beat South Africa by seven wickets in the second one-day international to square the three-match series 1-1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in the city Sunday, report agencies.
Asked to bowl first, Bangladesh dismissed South Africa cheaply for 162 runs in 46 overs before reaching 167-3 with 22.2 overs in hand.
It has taken Bangladesh eight years and eight completed ODIs to record a second ever victory over South Africa, which came with some added bonuses. Not only did Bangladesh square the series, they also secured their spot in the 2017 Champions Trophy. One of West Indies or Pakistan will miss out on the tournament but for now, it's South Africa who were left smarting.
It was South Africa's lowest total against Bangladesh and their lowest batting first in an ODI since November 2009, when they were bowled out for 119 by England. South Africa's batsmen were strangled by both seam and spin on a slow surface. By contrast, Bangladesh seemed to be batting on a totally different pitch and strolled to victory with more than 20 overs to spare.
The match was won by Bangladesh's attack, who displayed the discipline and guile that has seen them enjoy recent success over Pakistan and India. They frustrated the batsmen with tight lines, changes of pace and a slew of spin to keep the scoring rate down and force poor short selection but had none of the same troubles themselves. With South Africa's attack failing to find the nagging length, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah anchored the chase with a half-century apiece and a third-wicket stand of 135.
South Africa, in contrast, could not even manage a partnership of 30. Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis combined for 29, after Quinton de Kock's uncomfortable stay at the crease ended when he was squared up by a Mustafizur Rahman delivery that popped up from a short length and took the shoulder of his bat on the way to Sabbir Rahman at backward point.
Amla worked his way to 22 which took him to the top of the averages list in ODI cricket, but could not work his way around Rubel Hossain, who uprooted his offstump with the first ball of his second over.
Rubel was recalled for this match and stepped up, with two maiden overs in succession to begin the drought. He operated in tandem with Shakib Al Hasan, who rushed Rilee Rossouw by pushing deliveries through flat and fast. The more Rossouw battled to get him away, the more the pressure built. By the time Nasir Hossain came on, Rossouw was confounded and missed a straight one to end an unconvincing knock.
That was the first soft dismissal; David Miller, Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy went the same way. Miller chipped Mahmudullah to short midwicket, du Plessis, who worked hard for his runs holed out to long-on and JP Duminy drove a Mustafizur offcutter to short cover.
Bangladesh were into South Africa's lower-order with 20 overs left in the innings, which gave Farhaan Behardien an opportunity to prove his worth.