Bangladesh VS South Africa 3rd Momentum ODI Played at Buffalo Park, East London,South Africa

Brief Score Card:
South Africa 369/6 (F du Plessis 91 retired hurt,Q de Kock 73,AK Markram 66, T Bavuma 48, F Baherdeen 33* ,Miraj /59 ,Taskin 2/66 ) beat Bangladesh 169 All Out ( Shakib Al Hasan63, SabbirRahman 39, Patterson 3/44, I Tahir 2/27 Markaram 2/18 ) by 200 Runs 

South Africa Won the Momentum Series 3-0 

Having already fallen behind in  the three matches ODI series  0-2 after two massive defeats in earlier two matches Bangladesh was expected to regroup and salvage some pride in the third and final match played at Buffalo Park ,East London .But they failed miserably conceding another massive defeat by 200 runs .Another comprehensive series white wash , another humiliation after test series white wash. By the look of it now appears that down and out Bangladesh may even not perform any differently in the two matches T20 series . Bowling looks wayward , batting looks clueless . Bangladesh proved no match for the vastly superior South Africans.

When Bangladesh cricket team went on South Africa tour not even the ardent followers of South Africa thought of such cake walks, such comprehensive white wash of the tourists. While Bangladesh Cricket guardians BCB executives are busy plotting for exclusive control of BCB for another term in Dhaka team tigers got cruel bashing by the home team. After humiliating two matches test series white wash Bangladesh lost all three ODI each by huge margin. The first by10 wickets, the second by 104 runs and the third by 200. In none of the 5 matches so far Bangladesh could even create any contest .In two horse derby one will win, one will lose that is not unusual .But the manner Bangladesh lost each of the 5 matches they played so far indicates poor vision of team management , lack of planning and grossly inadequate preparation for the tour . Questions may even be raised about basic skills , temperament of the players playing in South African condition. 

On the day Bangladesh made two changes bringing in repeatedly failed SoumyaSarkar and replacing Nasir with Miraj. Quality top order batsman Mominul staying with the team was not given opportunity though top order batsmen failed in all three ODIs . Bangladesh lost the toss and was asked to field . Even prolific HashimAmla’s absence for being rested did not give any respite to Bangladesh bowling .The opening pair Q de Kock and Bavuma were on business as usual belligerent mood smashing all Bangladesh bowlers all around the park. None of the bowlers excepting Miraj and Sakib in some spells could create any impression of the protean batting. Miraj could send back Bavuma and de Kock not before they made initial damage. Captain du Plessis and debutant Markram batted Bangladesh out of the game .It was only after du Plessis retired hurt after turning for a second run Bangladesh could make some inroads taking the wickets of AB de Villiers early. But by the time South Africa completed their quota of 50 overs imposing target of 370 was set for helpless Bangladeshis. 

Bangladesh batting was no different than earlier matches .Kayes , Soumya , Mushfique , Mahmudullah all looked panicked and clueless .Shakib was playing well . Sabbir gave him able support. But the target already went well beyond the limit. When these two got out Bangladesh crumbled to their lowest total (169) of the series. Lost the match lost the series getting white washed comprehensively. Never in the match or in the series even for a brief spell Bangladesh looked like create contest. It was one-way traffic all the way.

Bangladeshi fans came in numbers in all matches but Bangladesh playing their worst cricket in recent times could not give them anything in return.

We are sure there would be some soul searching after the series .Definitely something is very wrong somewhere .A team which played so well over the last two to three years can not suddenly play like this. The wickets of all three ODIs were flat and South African depleted bowling attack was not unplayable. What happened to Bangladesh cricket that even charismatic Mashrafee could not inspire them into a fighting unit?

Teams can win or lose .South Africa in their home condition is definitely far superior opposition .The pathetic manner in which Bangladesh lost is unacceptable. It is the consequence of poor tour planning of BCB, grossly inadequate preparation, ignoring few tried and tested long version players , too much interference by team management . BCB at this stage appears least bothered. They are preoccupied with BCB election for assuming greater control of cricket affairs in the next committee.

BDST: 1450 HRS, OCT 23, 2017

AP