Bangladesh Vs South Africa 2nd ODI Played at Pearl South Africa
Brief Score Card
South Africa 353/6 (AB de Villiers 176, H Amla 85, Quinton de Cock45, JP Duminy 30, Rubel 4/62, Shakib 2/60) beat Bangladesh 249 All Out (Imrul Kayes 68, Mushfiqur Rahim 60, Mahmudullah 35, Andile Phehlukwayo 4/40, Imran Tahir 3/50) by 104 runs
The night mare of team tigers in South Africa Safari is not over yet. Nothing is going right for them in the series at all. The home side unleashed yet another huge defeat by 104 runs in the second ODI at Pearl yesterday.
The possibility of yet another series whitewash of ODI after test series white wash is looming.
Bangladesh improved a bit in bowling and batting. Letting South Africa into bat Shakib’s double strike in one over created situation of a comeback. But early let off of ABD buried that possibility. The most devastating batsman of contemporary cricket dubbed as Mr 360 degree punished the listless Bangladeshi batsmen in his career best 176 taking his team to unassailable 353/6. Bangladesh did not have resources to go beyond 249.
Lesser known home bowler Andile Phehlukwayo's four-wicket haul that helped skittle out Bangladesh for 249. ABD sews up 136 runs third wicket partnership with prolific silent killer Amla. Once he got out De Villiers went on smashing the ball all over the park like a greyhound chasing his prey. He struck six of his seven sixes in 17 deliveries. The six-storm raised hopes of a double ton and South Africa's 400. But that wasn't to be as de Villiers holed out at deep square in the 48th over.
Rubel bowled fast and on the channel taking 4/ 62. If one lets off ABD early and if he is in his belligerent mood, he can murder even much better bowling unit on his day. Bangladesh had their opportunities while bowling but they failed to grab it and put the price eventually. Off course there was hardly little what they could to reign in ABD racing horse in full gallop.
It was the same old story when Bangladesh batted. Openers Tamim and Liton were gone by the 11th over. Kayes and Mushfiq were looking good in their 93 runs third wicket partnership. But they were never in the chase of climbing to the target. Imrul had the solace of reaching first 50 in 2017. He fell to Tahir at 68. Shakib came and went soon also of Tahir. When Mushfiq also left after reaching yet another 50 all was gone. From there, the innings was largely in a freefall as Tahir and Phehlukwayo made merry. The innings fell apart and Bangladesh conceded the match and series with the third match yet to play.
There were few opportunities not accepted in the South African innings. Mahmudullah missed a run-out opportunity while Nasir Hossain wasn't swift enough in the slips when an edge flew past his left. Both were of the eventual destroyer de Villiers early in his innings. He exploited it bringing up his half-century off just 34 balls, and a further 34 to bring up his 25th ODI century. All of his seven sixes came between backward square-leg and midwicket while a majority of his fours came through the covers.
Rubel Hossain, finishing with 4 for 62, did the damage control after he removed de Villiers; South Africa added just 10 runs in the last 2.2 overs of their innings. Shakib took 2 for 60 from his 10 overs but Mashrafe Mortaza and Taskin Ahmed, expected to do the early running, conceded 12 fours and six sixes collectively.
We are not sure what Bangladesh can do. Bowling looks toothless. Batsmen lack confidence. Even fielding is not up to the mark. With Mushfiq keeping the wickets again Mominul could be tried as top order batting still remains an issue. Nasir and Sabbir are also looking ordinary.
With the series being already lost Bangladesh would have play for pride and salvage the series from yet another white wash in the third and final ODI in East London.
BDST: 0919 HRS, OCT 19, 2017
SI
