Bangladesh have pulled out yet another rabbit from the hat as they beat South Africa by 67 runs. South Africa won the toss and chose to field in overcast conditions. The South African bowlers ,barring Pollock and Nel, were not upto the mark. They had earlier restricted Bangladesh to 84/4 in the 24th over, but failed to maintain their grip as Bangladesh recovered to post a challenging total of 252.
Opener Iqbal scored a patient 39, while the ever-reliable Mohammed Ashraful scored a scintillating 87 off just 83 balls against a strong South African attack. Aftab Ahmed provided the support and firepower as he hit two big sixes off Andre nel to score 35. Thanks to Ashraful and Aftab, Bangladesh recovered from a tottering 84/4 to post a challenging 251/8. Andre Nel(5 wickets for 45 runs) was the pick of SA bowling attack.
South Africa crumble: Since South Africa had a lengthy batting lineup and a reputation of chasing targets, nobody gave Bangladeshis a chance of winning this match, but they proved otherwise.
Bangladesh began well, as Mortaza and Rasel bowled a tight line and length seldom providing room outside the off stump for Smith or De Villiers. With the keeper standing near the stumps, Smith was pressurized as he got out bowled by Rasel.
Kallis came in next and scored a brisk 32 before losing his wicket to Syed Rasel.
The pitch was offering assistance to spin, and it was perfectly exploited by Razzaq, Rafique, and Saqibal Hasan. These three left arm spinners slowed down the South Africans by sticking on to a OFF-STUMP line(South Africa scored just 96 runs off their 29.3 overs). Due to the pitch offering great assistance to spinners, and with Bangladesh bowlers maintaining a tigh line and length, supported by their fielders, South Africa choked as their batsman played too many dot balls and got out to bad shots. Ab De Villers(15), Kemp(7, Prince(1), Boucher(12), and Pollock(13) got out cheaply. Gibbs, who scored a brilliant 56 off 59 balls, ran out of partners.
Abdur Razzaq was the star performer as he took 3/25. Rafique was very economical as he gave away just 22 runs in his ten overs and took a wicket. But the real key wickets(Smith, Kallis, Boucher, and Kemp) were taken by Saqibul Hasan(2/49) and Syed Rasal(2/41). Thus Bangladesh pulled off yet another upset win and South Africa, for the first time, have lost to a minnow.
Highlights: Aftab Ahmed's twin sixes off Andre Nel.
Andre Nel's match haul of 5/45.
Mohammad Ashraful's match winning knock of 87(83 balls, 12 fours.)
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