Bangladesh’s batsmen launched a ferocious attack on South Africa’s bowlers but were unable to bat out their 20 overs in a Twenty20 World Championship match at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket win after Bangladesh were bowled out for 144 in 19.3 overs after being sent in.
In an astonishing start, Bangladesh slammed 58 runs off the first 4.2 overs but lost their first four batsmen in the process.
The first 38 runs in the innings came from boundaries, with Aftab Ahmed leading the charge as he made 36 off 14 balls, with five fours and two sixes.
Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful hit the first ball he faced from Shaun Pollock for six, the next for four and then was out in the third over of the innings. Pollock took two wickets in the over but conceded 15 runs.
After eight overs Bangladesh had lost five wickets while scoring 78 runs. But the assault continued, with Mashrafe Mortaza slogging two sixes before being caught in the deep.
Pollock finished with three wickets but conceded 40 runs in 3.3 overs.
Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, relative newcomers to international cricket, took 2-21 and 2-23 respectively.
South African captain Graeme Smith and fellow left-hander JP Duminy put on 65 for the first wicket.
Duminy made 36 and Smith 41. Another left-hander, Albie Morkel, hit a rapid 41 before AB de Villiers and Justin Kemp took South Africa to victory, with Kemp finishing the match with a six off Mashrafe Mortaza with seven balls to spare.
Both teams have qualified for the Super Eights stage which starts on Sunday so there was nothing at stake other than the honour of topping their group. — AFP
