/ 12 March 2008

Weary Bangladesh slump against SA

Roqibul Hassan and Shakib Al Hasan hit half centuries as a struggling Bangladesh reached 173 for all wickets in 48.2 overs in the second one-day international against South Africa on Wednesday.

South Africa’s pacer Andre Nel finished for 4-27 and Charl Langeveldt took three for 31 to bundle out the hosts for a paltry score.

Johan Botha took one for 47 runs and the two other batsmen were run out, leaving South Africa with a small target to clinch the series.

Bangladesh opted to bat after captain Mohammad Ashraful won the toss, but the hosts were in tatters after they lost four wickets for 18 runs.

Opener Tamim Iqbal was bowled by Andre Nel in the third ball of the innings for a duck.

Roqibul Hassan joined Shakib Al Hasan for a fifth wicket partnership and halted the wicket falling streak momentarily.

Raqibul (63) hit his maiden one-day half century and Shakib (52) got his sixth one-day fifty

They built up a Bangladesh team record for a fifth-wicket partnership of 119 runs, beating the previous mark of 116 runs by Shakib (Al Hasan) and Ashraful Canada in St Johns in 2007.

Roqibul Hassan was caught by captain Graeme Smith at mid on off Charl Langeveldt. After Hassan, Bangladesh lost wickets regularly and ended their innings with one over and four balls to spare.

Shakib was caught by Herschelle Gibbs at cover off Botha. Masharafe Mortaza was caught by Paul Harris at extra cover off Langeveldt on 20.

Roqibul played 105 balls, hitting four boundaries. Shakib also made four boundaries, off 97 balls.

Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed witnessed the Bangladesh innings along with an encouraging home crowd.

South Africa beat Bangladesh by nine wickets in the first Test in Chittagong on Sunday. – Reuters