Half-centuries by Connor Esterhuizen and Andile Simelane were not enough as SA Emerging suffered a three-wicket loss to Bangladesh Emerging in the first of three one-day matches.
The former top-scored with 71 off 69 balls (four fours, three sixes) and the latter 61 off 39 balls (seven fours, three sixes) to help the visitors amass 301-8 after losing the toss and being put in to bat at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshah.
But Mahfijul Islam then hit 87 off 89 balls to power the chase and ensure the hosts reached their target with two balls to spare.
Two wickets each by Andile Mokgakane (2-41), George van Heerden (2-51) and Tsepo Ndwandwa (2-58) ensured Bangladesh were kept on their toes right the way through, before eventually getting to their target to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
At the start of the tour opener, the visitors lost Muhammad Manack (16), before rebuilding through Meeka-eel Prince (35) and captain van Heerden (22).
But the pair, together with Mokgakane (nought) fell within the space of two overs to leave the tourists precariously placed on 79-4.
Then came the real transformation with Dewan Marais (31) adding 54 for the fifth wicket alongside Esterhuizen, who was also involved in important stands with Dian Forrester (19) and Simelane.
All-rounder Simelane played the perfect finishing role at the death, and with support from Tiaan van Vuuren (26*), ensured the South Africans ended above 300.
But Islam was involved in three telling stands of his own. He first put on 52 with Jishan Alam (31), then added 39 with Pritom Kumar (17) and most importantly put on 81 with Ariful Islam (36).
That last stand for the third wicket got the home side to 172-2 at one stage and even though the game’s top-scorer then fell to Mokgakane, captain Akbar Ali thumped 41 off 24 balls to keep his side in the hunt.
Tofael Ahmed and Rakibul Hasan (both 24*) then finished the job to seal a memorable win.
