SA U19 fast bowler JJ Basson took 4-33 before Bangladesh U19 clinched a one wicket-win in the Youth ODI Tri-Series in Harare on Saturday.
After the SA U19s were bundled out for 128, Bangladesh reached their target thanks to their key batsman Samiun Basir’s 45*.
It was an incredible finish to the game, which ebbed and flowed from one side to the other with the South Africans narrowly missing out.
It means that Malibongwe Maketa’s side have now won one and lost one of their opening two games after their record-breaking 278-run win over hosts Zimbabwe in the competition opener on Friday.
In this latest outing, the SA U19s won the toss and batted, though they struggled to make any major impact and were all out in 34.4 overs at the Sunrise Sports Club.
They lost openers Adnaan Lagadien (seven), together with the in-form Jorich Van Schalkwyk (10) as well as co-captains Jason Rowles (four) and Muhammad Bulbulia (13) inside the opening 8.4 overs to slip to 43-4.
Paul James (26) and Armaan Manack (28) worked hard to rebuild and initially did so successfully. The pair strung together a partnership of 53 for the next wicket, allowing their side to recover to 95-4 in the 22nd over.
But both fell within the space of seven deliveries, and despite a valiant 24* from Daniel Bosman, South Africa were bowled out with 15.2 overs of their innings still remaining.
Al Fahad finished as the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh with 4-32.
Then in reply, the junior Tigers raced out of the blocks, progressing to 21-0 after only nine balls. But Bayanda Majola (3-35) started an extraordinary slide by removing opener Zawad Abrar for 20.
Basson got rid of captain Azizul Hakim and Rifat Beg (both for five), while Majola cleaned up Rizan Hossan (two).
At that stage Bangladesh were 35-4. Things got worse for them when Farid Hasan (eight) was given out for obstructing the field and MD Abdullah (14) was subsequently bowled by Basson.
That brought Basir to the middle and he then shepherded the tail by looking after his end. He put on 31 with Fahad and then scored all 20 runs in a last wicket partnership with Shadhin Islam (nought not out) sealing a memorable win.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
