An hundred-plus partnership from Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah led Bangladesh to thrash South Africa by seven wickets in the second One Day International of a three-match series in Dhaka on Sunday. With the victory, the hosts squared the three-match series 1-1. Batting first at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, South Africa were bowled out for 162 in 46 overs. In reply, Bangladesh surpassed the target in 27.4 overs losing only three wickets. However, chasing the 163-run target, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal and top order batsman Litton Das departed early. Both Tamim (5) and Litton (17) were bowled by Kagiso Rabada in the second and fourth overs of the innings when Bangladesh scored only 24 runs. From there on Soumya and Mahmudullah added 135 runs off 136 balls in the third wicket partnership to make the chase easy. Mahmudullah was caught by Amla off Kyle Abbott in the 27th over just after completing his 13th half-century. He played 64 balls and smashed fours. Soumya Sarkar who bagged his third half-century off 47 balls with 9 boundaries was unbeaten on 88 off 79 balls hitting a total of 13 fours and a six. Earlier South Africa started losing wickets from the beginning as their opener Quinton de Kock (2) was caught by Sabbir Rahman off a prancing delivery from Mustafizur in the first ball of the 5th over. The visitors lost first wicket for 16. Rubel Hossain who came in for spinner Jubair Hossain then bowled Hashim Amla (22) in the first delivery of 13th over. South Africa lost second wicket for 45 runs. Rilee Rossouw (4) was bowled by Nasir Hossain in the first delivery of 19th over when the visitors’ score was 59. Mahmudullah then made David Miller (9) caught by Mashrafe Mortaza in the 24th over. South Africa lost fourth wicket for 74. Faf du Plessis tried to rebuild the early losses but could not able do better as he was caught by Soumya Sarkar off Nasir Hossain. He, however, scored 41 runs off 64 balls with 3 boundaries. 19-year old pacer Mustafizur who bowled 5 overs in his first spell and claimed 1 wicket for 17, returned to bowl in the 30th over and made Jean-Paul Duminy (13) caught by Sabbir Rahman in his 7th over. Rubel Hossai then made Chris Morris (12) LBW in the 36th over as the visitors lost their 7th wicket for 116. Mustafizur then bowled Kagiso Rabada (10) while Nasir Hossain made Kyle Abbott (5) LBW. However, Farhaan Behardien played and excellent knock in the tail-end to take the score past 150. Behardien scored 36 runs off 44 balls hitting 2 fours and a six before getting out as the tenth batsman. Bangladesh spinner Nasir Hossain and pacer Mustafizur Rahman claimed 3 wickets each for 26 and 38 runs respectively. Rubel Hossain took 2 while Mahmudullah and Mashrafe Mortaza shared one wicket each. The third and final ODI of the series will be held at Chittagong on Wednesday (July 15).
