Bangladesh seal historic one-day triumph over South Africa

Sabbir Hossain :
Bangladesh National Cricket team clinched the three-match One Day International (ODI) series 2-1 against South Africa National Cricket team after beating the hosts by nine wickets in the third and final ODI at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday.
Pacer Taskin Ahmed played the key role in wrecking South Africa innings capturing five wickets in the space of 35 runs. Taskin Ahmed was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance. The right-arm pacer was adjudged the Man of the Series for his consistent bowling performance. He picked up eight wickets in the three-match ODI series against the Proteas.
Chasing South Africa’s paltry total of 154 runs in 37 overs, Bangladesh sailed home making 156 runs for the loss of one wicket when they had 141 balls to spare.
Bangladesh made a formidable start with two openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das contributed together 127 runs before Liton Das was caught at the cover by Temba Bavuma off Keshav Maharaj.
Tamim Iqbal remained unbeaten with 87 runs. His 82-ball innings was ornamented with 14 fours.
Tamim reached his 52nd fifty-run landmark using 52 balls with nine fours.
Liton Das deprived from a half century for just two runs. He 48 runs with eight fours in his 57-ball knock.
After Liton’s departure, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan guided their team to reach the victory target.
Shakib Al Hasan remained unbeaten with 18 runs. He hit two fours in his 20-ball innings. Keshav Maharaj took one wicket for 36 runs.
Earlier, opener Janneman Malan was the only batter who could make a respectable score against the tight and controlled bowling attack of Bangladeshi bowlers. Malan hit a polished 39 from 56 deliveries including seven fours. Besides, Keshav Maharaj and Dwaine Pretorious added 28 and 20 runs respectively to the South Africa total.
Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan bagged two wickets at the cost of 24 runs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shoriful Islam took one wicket each for 27 and 37 runs respectively.