Plays: Tigers' lack of early breakthroughs, Markram run out again, wicketless Mashrafe and Soumya's off-form continues

Early breakthrough a rare, golden deer for TigersBangladesh bowling, particularly the opening spell, has been frustrating throughout the tour. Once again South Africa openers formed a 119-run partnership in the third and final ODI at Buffalo Park. Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock and his new partner, Temba Bavuma, added 119 for the opening wicket before spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz removed Bavuma in the 18th over. If we look at the opening stand of South Africa batsmen throughout the tour, then we will find out that they scored 196 in the first innings of the first Test match at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, and 30 in the second innings, 243 in the only innings of the second Test at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, 147 in the 50-over practice match in Bloemfontein, 282 unbroken runs in the first ODI at De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley and 90 in the second and penultimate ODI at Boland Park in Paarl. Pretty frustrating in terms of opening spells and getting early breakthroughs, isn’t it?

Mehidy givers the first breakthrough, Bavuma gone for 48. South Africa 119/1. #SAvBAN

To follow Live Score: https://t.co/sjRLfvszI9 pic.twitter.com/54nGNPu14w— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) October 22, 2017

Markram run out on debut, once againSouth Africa youngster Aiden Markram was picked up for the third ODI as some regular players were rested, including regular opener Hashim Amla. Like his debut Test innings, Markram started his ODI career confidently. The right-hander carried his good form from the Test series, building a solid 151-run partnership with Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis for the third wicket. But his promising innings came to an end with a run out. And so the impressive debut ODI innings from the talented batsman ended in a run out, just like his Test debut innings (97) against Bangladesh. But this time around, it was Markram’s call to run and a direct throw from the deep from Imrul Kayes ended his good innings. In the end, Markram scored 66 off 60 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.

#SAvBAN Aiden Markram goes to his 1st ODI 50 on debut - Faf du Plessis has got to 50 as well - South Africa 230/2 after 35 overs.

— EWN Sport (@EWNsport) October 22, 2017

Mashrafe remains wicketless in ODI seriesTigers ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza had a tough ODI series with the ball against the Proteas as he remained wicketless following the Buffalo Park ODI. This is only the second time Mashrafe remained wicketless in a three-match ODI series in his career. The first time he went wicketless was in 2008 against Australia. Mashrafe bowled 27.5 overs in the series and conceded 201 runs at an economy rate of 7.22. Before Sunday's ODI, Mashrafe took 13 wickets in as many innings this year with an average of 49.53. Mashrafe is currently the leading wicket-taker for Bangladesh with 231 wickets in 180 innings while all-rounder Shakib al Hasan is second in the list with 226 scalps. Mashrafe however, was unlucky as two easy catches were dropped off his bowling. The first one was grassed by all-rounder Nasir Hossain in the first ODI at long off while the second was dropped by Imrul at point in the second ODI.

Rabada has his piece of cake. Soumya Sarkar gone for 8. Bangladesh 3 down for 20#SAvBAN

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 22, 2017

Soumya yet again loses wicket outside off-stumpOpener Soumya Sarkar’s horrible run of form continues as he once again got out while chasing a wide delivery in the trajectory of outside off-stump. He got caught at the slip cordon. The left-hander was dropped form the first two ODIs as Bangladesh opted for a new opening pair in the form of Liton Das and Imrul with regular opener Tamim Iqbal injured. Soumya was picked for the third ODI but the southpaw failed to capitalise on the opportunity. The pattern of his dismissal is pretty similar to his recent innings’. With limited feet movement, he gave a thick edge to slip. It was a typical innings from him. Having played some good looking boundaries, he soon lost his wicket with a causal approach.