South Africa U19 were beaten by 33 runs against Bangladesh U19 in the Youth ODI Tri-Series final in Harare on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 270, the top four all got starts to leave their side on 111-2 at one stage, before they lost their way to be dismissed for 236.

Jorich van Schalkwyk (19), Adnaan Lagadien (40), captain Muhammad Bulbulia (31) and Jason Rowles (35) kept the South Africans in the hunt during the early part of the chase, but Al Fahad (3-50) significantly got two of them in his impressive spell to ensure Bangladesh walked away with the title.

It was a nonetheless fruitful tournament for Malibongwe Maketa and his young charges, who have enjoyed some valuable game time over the past few weeks.

This competition, as well as a preceding Youth ODI series against the Bangladeshis, offered them further preparation as they build towards next year’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

On Sunday, they won the toss and opted to field first with Bandile Mbatha (2-50) and Bayanda Majola’s (1-41) early strikes briefly putting them on top.

The latter removed Rifat Beg (16), while the former ran out Zawad Abrar (21) and got rid of captain Azizul Hakim (seven) after a fast start to reduce Bangladesh to 65-3.

However, it was a struggle from there after Rizan Hossan (95 off 96 balls; 10 fours) and Kalam Siddiki (65 off 76 balls; six fours) put on 117 runs for the fourth wicket, with MD Abdullah (38*) then providing a rapid finish.

That helped propel the Junior Tigers to a 269-5.

The South African reply began well thanks to openers Van Schalkwyk and Lagadien, two of the team’s form players over the past few weeks. They put on 59 for the first wicket, before both departing.

But co-captains Bulbulia and Rowles then picked up the baton to take their side past 100 in a sound position.

However, Rizan Hossan (5-34) got through the defences of Bulbulia and Rowles fell to Shadhin Islam (2-34) as a collapse followed.

Maketa’s side then slipped to 164-7, only for their fighting spirit to be reignited by Mbatha (29) and Ntando Soni (34), who strung together a stand of 59 for the eighth wicket.

That briefly gave them hope, before star bowler Hossan ended it and helped his side close out the win.

Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket