5th PRAN RFL T20 Triangular played at Harare Sports Club: Bangladesh 131 for 7 (Ashraful 40, Parnell 2-18) beat South Africa 129 for 7 (Ontong 41, Sunny 2-21) by three wickets
Bangladesh beat South Africa by two wickets in a low scoring match in the fifth Pran RFL T20 triangular series match played at Harare sports club on Friday.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, and from the onset were tied down by accurate bowling from Bangladesh on a pitch that has become progressivly harder to play on due to the previous matches that have been played on the same pitch.
South Africa posted a mediocre total of 129 for the loss of seven wickets from their 20 overs, thanks to Justin Ontong who top scored with 41 off 36 deliveries before charging down the wicket, only to be stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim off the bowling of Ziaur Rahman.
The Proteas opened the batting with their in form captain and Faf du Plessis who had a remarkable run of form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League but, it was the rampant du Plessis who was the first to go when he miss timed a lofted on drive and was comfortably taken at mid off by Rahman off the bowling of Elias Sunny.
The much fancied proteas then lost their way and never recovered as Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla were dismissed in quick succession to leave the proteas floundering at 33 for 3. Farhaan Behardien, Albie Morkel and Robin Peterson all got in to double figures but were unable to go on to reach a score of substance. Elias Sunny was the pick of the bowlers with 2-21 from his four overs while Mahmudullah chipped in with 1-18 and the luckless Abdur Razzak impressed yet again, concedeing just 17 runs in his four overs with out claiming a wicket.
Bangladesh were made to work hard for their win, pace bowler Marchant de Lange was in on the act straight away as he removed Junaid Siddique and Anamul Huque with just 29 runs on the board. Mohammad Ashraful finally showed some of his class with an invaluable 40 before falling to a good catch by Chris Morris on the long on boundary. Ziaur Rahman then came to the crease and batted with responsibility and maturity to finish unbeaten on 27 off 26 balls with four fours as the tigers reached their target with a ball to spare. Bangladesh will be hoping that either South Africa comprehensivly beat Zimbabwe or that Zimbabwe are able to beat South Africa in Saturday's game in order to still qualify for Sundays final.
