Taskin’s five-for and Tamim’s masterclass batting helped Bangladesh thrash down South Africa to seal an ODI series win (2-1) for the first in history.
This is the first time in 20 years that the Bangla tigers have registered an ODI series win against South Africa in South Africa.
South Africa’s decision to bat didn’t go as planned, as Bangladesh bowlers stole the show. Taskin took his second ODI five-for, while Shakib al Hasan chipped in with two wickets. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shoriful Islam also claimed one scalp each.
They had a strong start, but their batters made too many mistakes by looking for boundaries instead of taking the time to make good contact with the ball.
The host team was bowled out for 154 runs in 37 overs, their lowest total against Bangladesh. Many fans couldn’t believe Bangladesh bowlers could bowl out South Africa in such an important game. Though South Africa won the second ODI.
According to the Sport News BD experts, South African batters didn’t seem very comfortable against Bangladeshi fast bowlers. They had purely lackings of strike rotation. This was the key to a solid score but their batters tried to hit boundaries only. They couldn’t have crossed 150 unless Keshav Maharaj showed some late resistance. His lone fighting 28 off 39 helped South Africa pass the 150 runs.
Keeping in mind, this was the same team who whitewashed India 3-0 just a month back.
In reply, Bangladesh successfully chased down the target in only 26.3 overs, thanks to an unbeaten fifty from skipper Tamim Iqbal.
The skipper played well, scoring an ODI fifty for the first time in over a year. He hit 14 fours in his 82-ball 87 and did a lot of damage to South Africa’s quicks.
Apart from Tamim, Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan also played valuable knocks, But Liton Das couldn’t pick up his fifty. He was only 2 runs short of his fifty. Keshav Maharaj was the only wicket-taker for South Africa.
Taskin Ahmed was adjudged both Man of the Match and Series award for his brilliant spell throughout the series. He picked 8 wickets in three matches.
Taskin Ahmed in the match presentation revealed his secret of getting five wickets. He said that he was feeling happy and proud. This was the first time for him to get the Player of the Series award. For the last one-and-half and two years, he was working hard and following the same process. He tried to follow and basics of line and length. He is still trying to learn how to get five wickets on a flat pitch.