South Africa A ended their one-day series against Bangladesh A with a five-wicket defeat at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Saturday after being bowled out for 182.
Marques Ackerman and Imran Manack provided the main resistance with the bat before Kyle Simmonds claimed three wickets in Bangladesh A’s chase, but the visitors reached their target in 33 overs with 102 balls remaining.
The result saw South Africa A lose the three-match series 1-0.
After being asked to bat first, South Africa A struggled to establish partnerships throughout their innings.
Rivaldo Moonsamy was the first to fall for one, leaving the hosts 30/1, before Zubayr Hamza was dismissed for 31 from 35 balls after striking five fours and a six.
South Africa A then suffered a damaging period as Sinethemba Qeshile and Matthew de Villiers fell from successive deliveries to leave the score at 53/4.
Captain Ackerman attempted to rebuild the innings, but wickets continued to fall around him.
Mihlali Mpongwana was dismissed for four before Dian Forrester departed for six as South Africa A slipped to 89/6 in the 23rd over.
Ackerman eventually found some support from Simmonds, with the pair taking the score to 120 before Simmonds was dismissed for 15.
Ackerman followed for 54 from 67 balls, an innings which included seven fours, leaving South Africa A in further trouble at 134/8.
Manack’s contribution down the order gave the hosts something to defend.
He made 43 from 53 deliveries, hitting five fours, and helped South Africa A reach 182 before being bowled from the final delivery of the 40th over.
Rishad Hossain caused most of the damage with figures of 4/45, while Al Islam claimed 3/35.
South Africa A needed early wickets to put pressure on the visitors, but Saif Hassan and Mohammad Naim took control of the chase with a 92-run opening partnership.
Simmonds eventually provided the breakthrough when he had Saif stumped by Qeshile for 61 from 53 balls.
The left-arm spinner struck again to remove Parvez Hossain Emon for 17, but Bangladesh A were already well placed at 129/2.
Forrester dismissed Nurul Hasan for 16 before Simmonds claimed his third when he bowled Naim for 60, reducing the visitors to 170/4.
Manack added another wicket when Mohammad Saifuddin was caught behind for three, but South Africa A did not have enough runs to apply sustained pressure.
Bangladesh A completed the chase at 185/5 after 33 overs to secure the five-wicket victory.
Simmonds was the standout performer with the ball for South Africa A, finishing with 3/36 from his 10 overs, while Forrester claimed 1/13 and Manack 1/76.
The defeat brought South Africa A’s one-day series to a disappointing conclusion, with the hosts unable to turn their opportunities in the opening two matches into a series victory before Bangladesh A claimed the decisive final encounter.
