Soumya Sarkar guided Bangladesh to level the series

Tags: South Africa tour of Bangladesh, 2015, Bangladesh Vs South Africa 2nd ODI at Dhaka, Jul 12, 2015, Bangladesh, South Africa, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mahmudullah

Published on: Jul 13, 2015

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

The partnership of 135 runs between Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah for the third wicket ensured that Bangladesh would cross the target of 163 runs with 134 balls to spare to level the series 1-1.

The partnership of 135 runs between Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah for the third wicket ensured that Bangladesh would cross the target of 163 runs with 134 balls to spare to level the series 1-1. The result also meant that Bangladesh have guaranteed a place in the Champions Trophy in 2017.

Earlier in the day, Hashim Amla won the toss and elected to bat first. Quinton de Kock fell for just 2 as Mustafizur Rahman found some extra bounce and the shoulder of the bat with the opener popping the ball up to Sabbir Rahman.Amla was bowled by Rubel Hossain for 22 and Rilee Rossouw off-stump was pegged back by the off-spin of Nasir Hossain. The steady flow of wickets meant the Proteas were struggling to score at any sort of rate and shortly after David Miller chipped Mahmudullah to Mortaza for 9, visitors were 80 for four at the halfway stage. Faf du Plessis (41) was the only batsman who was looking good but the alarm bells were ringing when he miscued a chip shot to Soumya Sarkar off Nasir. Farhaan Behardien was saved by an lbw review but he lost JP Duminy soon after for 13, the all- rounder finding Sabbir off Mustafizur, and Chris Morris (12) was trapped in front by Rubel. Mustafizur then bowled Kagiso Rabada for 10 and while Behardien clobbered the innings' only six, the rate was still pedestrian and Kyle Abbott went for five, lbw to Nasir. Behardien had taken on Du Plessis' mantle of holding things together but when he was last out for 36 off 44 balls, caught by Nasir off Mashrafe, South Africa had their lowest total against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh hope of victory was little shaken when they lost two important wickets inside four overs. Tamim was the first man to go when he dragged the ball on to his stumps and then the short quick fire inning of 17-runs off 14-balls of Litton Das was ended by a beauty that knocked over his stumps. Rabada claimed both these wickets. The hosts did panic a little then but it was well settled when Mahmudullah joined Sarkar at the crease. The duo took their time early in the inning and then playing with more freedom as the partnership grew up. Soumya reached his fifty off just 47-balls which included nine fours. Mahmudullah brought up his fifty off 63-balls but soon lobbed the ball to Amla off Abbott. Bangladesh were just four short of their target, though, and Soumya sealed a comprehensive victory with a six off Imran Tahir.

Man of the Match: Soumya Sarkar

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