Half-centuries by Connor Esterhuizen and Andile Simelane were not enough as South Africa Emerging Men slipped to a narrow three-wicket loss to Bangladesh Emerging in the first of three one-day matches between the sides played at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on Monday.
The former top-scored with 71 off 69 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes) and the latter plundered 61 off 39 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes) to help the visitors amass a strong 301 for eight after losing the toss and being put in to bat.
But Mahfijul Islam then hit 87 off 89 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) 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) cheaply, before rebuilding through Meeka-eel Prince (35) and captain van Heerden (22).
But the pair, together with Mokgakane (0) fell within the space of two overs to leave the tourists precariously placed on 79 for four.
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 for two 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.
SA Emerging Men’s Squad against Bangladesh Emerging
George van Heerden (captain, Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Connor Esterhuizen (DP World Lions), Muhammad Manack (DP World Lions), Dian Forrester (Knights), Dewan Marais (Eastern Storm), Andile Mogakane (Dafabet Warriors), Nqobani Mokoena (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tshepo Ndwandwa (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Ntuli (Northern Cape Heat), Romashan Pillay (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Meeka-eel Prince (Renault North West Dragons), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Richard Seletswane (DP World Lions), Tiaan van Vuuren (Knights), and Ntandoyenkosi Zuma (ACDC Express Tuskers).
Fixtures (all times local)
One-Day Matches
Monday, 12 May at 09:00
SA Emerging lost to Bangladesh Emerging by 3 wickets – Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium, Rajshahi
Wednesday, 14 May at 09:00
Bangladesh Emerging vs South Africa Emerging – Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium, Rajshahi
Friday, 16 May at 09:00
Bangladesh Emerging vs South Africa Emerging – Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium, Rajshahi
Four-Day Matches
Sunday, 20 May – Wednesday, 23 May at 09:30
Bangladesh Emerging vs South Africa Emerging – Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury, Chattogram
Sunday, 27 May – Wednesday, 30 May at 09:30
Bangladesh Emerging vs South Africa Emerging – Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
