Tigers beat Proteas to stay alive

Bangladesh held their nerve to seal a thrilling three-wicket win over South Africa in their tri-series Twenty20 match on Friday.

Tigers needed 19.5 overs to chase down the modest 130-run target losing seven wickets at the Harare Sports Club ground.

Mohammad Ashraful’s 40 off 40 inspired the Tigers while Mahmudullah scored 28 and Ziaur Rahman was unbeaten at 27.

Marchant de Lange struck early as Junaid Siddique’s (5) charge for an upper cut ended straight to Chris Morris at third man.

Anamul Haque (4) tried to clip a delivery but missed, and the ball thudded him in front of middle and leg to give de Lange his second wicket.

Mushfiqur Rahim (7) looked to pull a bouncer by Wayne Parnell but ball it hit his glove before going to wicketkeeper Dane Vilas.

Ashraful was out playing dreadful shot off Albie Morkel delivery, holing out to Morris at long on.

Mahmudullah (28) skied a good length delivery to mid-off where captain Hashim Amla took a running easy catch. Farhad Reza (1) did not survive long in the last over.

De Lange took highest three wickets for South Africa while Wayne Parnell picked up two.

Earlier, South Africa set a modest 130-run target.

Justin Ontong top-scored with a streaky 41 to take the Proteas to 129 for seven in their 20 overs as spinners tied them down.

Faf du Plessis (13) became the first prey for the Tigers. Colin Ingram (1) edged a tossed up delivery outside off by Mahmudullah to Mohammad Asraful.

Misunderstanding with Justin Ontong saw Hashim Amla (20) run out in the seventh over of the innings.

Ontong was out stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim off a Ziaur Rahman delivery.

Elias Sunny struck again as Farhaan Behardien (16) edged a wide delivery back to Rahim. Albie Morkel (12) holed out to long off for a simple catch.

Elias Sunny picked up two wickets for Bangladesh while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mahmudullah and Ziaur Rahman took one each.

News Source:  BDNews24