Bangladesh thrash South Africa by nine wickets to complete historic ODI series win

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed took 5/35 in nine overs to rip the guts out of the South African innings after the home team won the toss and elected to bat.

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed took five wickets and captain Tamim Iqbal followed up with an unbeaten 87 as Bangladesh cruised to a nine-wicket victory over hosts South Africa in the final ODI on Wednesday (March 23) to complete a 2-1 series win. Bangladesh recovered from a seven-wicket thrashing in the second match to produce a dominant performance to secure their first series victory in South Africa. 

South Africa were bowled out for 154 in 37 overs before Bangladesh romped to their target in the 27th over. Taskin took 5/35 in nine overs to rip the guts out of the South African innings after the home team won the toss and elected to bat. 

He claimed key wickets to ensure a steady procession of home batsmen, Janneman Malan top-scoring with 39. Bangladesh bludgeoned the South African bowling with Tamim hitting his match-winning innings in 82 balls. The first wicket partnership of 127 with Litton Das (48) took Bangladesh to the cusp of victory and veteran Shakib Al Hasan (18 not out) helped get them over the line. 

“This is massive. I rate this at the top,” Tamim said. “It’s now given us belief that when we are touring, we can win games and series. We take a lot of pride in ODI cricket. This is one format where we are very comfortable. The missing part was to win overseas,” he added. 

Taskin Ahmed sent back Kyle Verreynne and Janneman Malan back to the dugout for 9 and 39 runs, respectively. Temba Bavuma came to the crease but also departed after being dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan, leaving the team’s total at 71/4 in 16 overs. 

Rassie van der Dussen then joined David Miller but could not do much as he got caught out by Mehidy Hasan on the delivery of Shoriful Islam. Taskin later dismissed Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, and Kagiso Rabada, with 126 runs on the board. Shakib then struck again and removed Lungi Ngidi for a duck. 

The teams meet in a two-match Test series, starting in Durban on March 31. Check scorecard of South Africa vs Bangladesh third ODI here. 

(with agency inputs)