South Africa stumbled to a 38-run loss to Bangladesh at SuperSport Park, Centurion, today, in what was their first of three ODIs, a series that forms part of the World Cup Super League.
Bangladesh posted a far-reaching total of 314/7, a score that was too much for the underperforming Proteas to accomplish, despite the valiant efforts showcased by Rassie van der Dussen (86 from 98 balls) and David Miller (79 from 57 balls) in their pursuit.
The Proteas immediately got off to a tetchy start when they were reeling on 36/3 inside the opening nine overs, albeit being above-par on their comparable run-rate in the ensuing stanzas.
Janneman Malan departed for a lowly 4 (4th over), followed by Kyle Verreynne’s 21 (9th over), before Aiden Markram, rather disappointingly, got picked off for a duck three balls later.
Temba Bavuma and Van der Dussen were then tasked to soften the blow, and they did just that – having amassed a partnership of 88 – before the former walked in the 27th over for a patient 31 from 55 balls.
Van der Dussen and David Miller made a promising attempt at forging something out of what remained of their chances, before the former got caught at deep square leg in the 38th. The pair strung together a 70-run partnership.
Andile Phehlukwayo got caught at long-off in the 42nd over for 2, as the Proteas began to increasingly stare down the barrel, thanks also to their inability to hit consistent boundaries.
SA had to go for it, and Marco Jansen did, before getting caught in a juggled catch on the rope at cow corner for 2. Kagiso Rabada got caught a few deliveries later from his bowler, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, after top-edging it straight up.
Miller got stumped in the 46th over and his immediate walk-off was a testament to their defeat on the day.
The Proteas got bowled out in the 49th over in what was a historic first-ever victory for Bangladesh over the hosts in SA.
Miraz claimed figures of 4/61 and Taskin Ahmed 3/36 in their allotted 10 overs.