South Africa Vs Bangladesh Second ODI Played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Meerpoor, Dhaka.

Brief Score Card:
South Africa 162 All Out ( F du Plessis 41 , F Behardien 36, Hashim Amla 22, Nasir Hossain 3/26 ,Mustafizur Rahman 3/ 38, Rubel Hossain 2/ 34 ) lost to Bangladesh 1167/3 ( Soumya Sarkar 87* , Mahamudullah Riad 50 , K Rabada 2/ 45) by 7 Wickets

Man of the Match: Soumya Sarkar, Smartest Bangladesh Player: Nasir Hossain.

Match Report:
A very different Bangladesh team with a vastly improved all round team performance compressively overwhelmed formidable South Africans in the second ODI and leveled the series 1-1. This was the first ever Bangladesh victory against South Africa in the bilateral series. The only other historic win against them was in the 2007 ICC World Cup in the Carribeans. For a surprising change, weather held fair even in the high noon of monsoon. South Africa opting to bat after winning the toss found a turbocharged Bangladesh firing in all cylinders. They could manage a meagre 162 all out in 46 overs-the lowest by them against Bangladesh. Confident looking batted overhauled the target (167/3) in only 27.3 overs. Tigers batted aggressively with impressive Soumya Sarker presenting yet another characteristic flamboyant stroke full-unbeaten innings of 88. Reliable Mahamudullah scored 50. The pair in third wicket partnership produced a record setting 135 runs. The three matches ODI series now stands 1-1 with the decisive third to be played in Chittagong on Wednesday. With this win, Bangladesh has reassured its berth in the 2017 ICC Champions trophy.

From the very outset, Bangladesh bowled and fielded like a team in mission. South African batsmen were found guessing. Mystery bowler Mustafiz and tear away pacer Rubel teased and tormented, Nasir and Raid confused with their controlled spins, Shakib shackled. Mashrafe marshaled his resources very intelligently making smart changes and setting very aggressive field. The fielding was sparkling. It was a mission accomplished. Mustafiz and Nasir took 3 scalps each, Rubel grabbed two, Mahmudullah and Mashrafe chipped in with one each. Shakib gave away only 30 runs in his 10 overs putting pressure from his end while other bowlers hunted from the other.

In our match preview yesterday we wrote Bangladesh losing three matches in a trot was not a sky dropping on them. They lost to a superior team and Bangladesh could not play to its potential. We suggested bringing in Rubel and playing with 5 genuine bowlers. Bangladesh did it (Nasir can be considered a regular bowler now). South Africa like Indians a couple of weeks earlier failed to decode mysteries of teenage sensation Mustafiz. Inside and outside edges started going tantalizing close to hands. Q de Kock’s uncertain stay was shortened by 9 deliveries. Wonder boy of Satkhira struck and early blow.

Rubel bowled fast and furious. Very few bowlers of the world could castle great Hashim Amla the way Rubel let his stumps cart wheeling. The stands erupted. South Africa was pegged back at 45/2 in the 13th over. Reliable du Plessis was joined by RR Rossouw. This pair only two days earlier produced a match winning partnership. But on the day huffed and puffed in get going. Rossouw was bamboozled by Nasir. Dangerous David Miller was accounted for by Mahmudullah. Suddenly panic set in protean camp at 4/74. How funny is a game of cricket. How it changes hues from match to match? Even du Plessis struggled till Nasir sent him back. Every change of Mashrafe worked like a magic. His field placing was excellent. Mustafiz returned and accounted for the unpleasant looking JP Duminy. At 100/6 with cream of batting already taken tigers started sensing the blood. Bearden with the tail tried to put up some resistance. But  protean innings crumbled against  all round excellent bowling and very sharp fielding for 162 only 2 runs more than what Bangladesh could score in the first ODI. Nasir was the peak of the bowler with his career best 3/22, Mustafiz took 3/38. Rubel in his return match bowled with venom taking 2/ 34. Mahmudullah removed dangerous Miller before he could unleash and quiet fittingly captain courageous Mashrafe wrapped up the innings taking the last wicket.

Target of 163 in 50 overs was not considered a difficult to overhaul by a vastly changed Bangladesh on the day .Yet that required disciplined batting. That was surprising missing from their ace opener Tamim. He looked panicked and completely out of mind. He could be gone in the very first ball of Abbott charging him down the wicket and somehow survived the first over. But on the very first ball of youngster Rabada’s first over his furniture behind was disturbed as he tried yet another airy fairy stroke. Tamim badly needs sometime away from cricket .  It will be a tricky decision to take .Will team thanks gives him rest from the all-important third ODI in Tamm’s favorite home ground in Chittagong?

Tamim appears to be fighting with his shadow. He has given so much to Bangladesh Cricket .Yet he has some more years of good cricket left in him. But he must be a bit careful. There are few quality openers in the pipeline (Anamul, Liton, Soumya and Rony). If his poor form continues he may soon struggle to find his place in the team.

Soumya meanwhile looked a bit cool, composed and determined while Liton played some delightful strokes until struck by a brute rising delivery from Rabada bowling at pace. The very next ball was a beauty. Rabada found the gate of bad and pad of tentative Liton. At 2/24 with Rollicking Rabada finding his shooting range few in Bangladesh camp were a bit scary. But the right person for the right time cool like cucumber Mahmudullah joined Soumya. His way of batting is rotating singles and waiting for loose balls to strike not only started setting roots deep but also had a calming effect on belligerent Soumya Sarker. The brilliant youngster Soumya played several impressive strokes and Mahmudullah also complimented with gay elegance. The pair not only consolidated the innings but also kept the scoreboard moving at pace. Soumya overcame his 20 -30 panic times and Mahmudullah looked steady. Soumya raced to yet another 50 .Mahmudullah got out after scoring his 50. But by that time victory was only a stroke away. Soumya blasted unbeaten 88 in 79 deliveries with 13 brilliant strokes across the fence and one over it. Mahmudullah scored exactly 50. The third wicket pair of 135 set a new milestone of partnership in any wicket against South Africa by Bangladesh. Nasir for his impressive bowling was the smartest Bangladesh performer. Soumya for his brilliant batting won the man of the match award. How brilliantly two youngsters -- Soumya and Mustafiz from remote Satkhira --are rocking and rollicking?
 
Victory is always sweet but it tastes much sweeter when it comes in such an emphatic fashion against a top team of the world. Lots were being told about Mashrafe squad over the last day and a half after Bangladesh lost the first ODI and two T20s. BCB looked panicked, media gossiped, few in social media unnecessarily embarrassed Bangladesh cricketers. But how brilliantly the Mashrafe squad responded with the brilliant comeback win.

Mashrafe sounded pretty confident even after losing three matches on a trot. Nasir thought Rabada even after a world record setting was not too difficult bowler to handle. Both proved right .This tiger squad knows how to keep their cool. All must have confidence in their fighting skills.

There will be Saturdays and Sundays in every week .Everything every day cannot be the same .Professional sports needs patience and application from all. 

It was a do or die match to keep Bangladesh in the hunt for series and Bangladesh did not die.

Cricket admirers and administration must remained patient. This group of Bangladesh cricketers is committed professionals .There will be high and lows all the time. All opposition was not brittle and easy to prey. Team will lose some in winning many in its maturing stage .The team and its fans must now how to a good loser to be worthy winner. It will be much better leaving the boys on their own at the hands of team think tank (Captain and Coaches).

We will not be surprised with the winning momentum returning if Bangladesh goes ahead and win the series. But it must not be taken for granted. South Africans are too good a team going down without fight in consecutive matches.

BDST: 0852 HRS, JULY 13, 2015
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