Bangladesh national cricket team wrote history at the Centurion picking their first win on tour of South Africa. Bangladesh have been touring the African nation for some 20 years now but have never been able to win any game until Friday. In the first of the three-match ODI series, tourists Bangladesh produced a team effort to humble South Africa by 38 runs.
All-rounder Shakib al Hasan finished as the Player of the Match for his aggressive innings after Bangladesh were sent to bat first. Propelled by the left-handed batters 77 off 64, Bangladesh posted 314 runs on the board, their highest total in the format in South Africa.
But according Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal – off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz is the Player of the Match as well for his courage shown while Bangladesh were defending the total and found South Africa batters Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller rebuilding the innings after a shaky start.
Tamim speaking at the post match press conference informed that Miraz, despite giving away 38 runs in his first four overs, came to him and asked for the ball. Miraz said to hand the ball and that he will turn the game around for Bangladesh.
“I am very happy that he has the confidence in him. To bowl in that pressure situation against right-handed batters and pick wickets was simply amazing. For me he is also my Man of the Match,” said Tamim at the presentation ceremony at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium, the Centurion on Friday.
It would be challenging for any captain in a crucial part of the game to hand over the ball to a bowler who has conceded heavy runs in the first spell for which Miraz rather walked to Tamim and asked for it.
Miraz kept to his words as he picked four wickets in his next five overs and conceded just 23 runs. Right-arm spinner found his first wicket in a struggling Andile Phehlukwayo [2] in the 42nd over. In the 44th he found two more – in Marco Jansen [2] and Kagiso Rabada [1]. The cherry on the top was perhaps removing David Miller on 79 off 57 to end all hopes for South Africa.“I think every team needs a character like Miraz. He gave 40 runs [38 runs] in the first four overs, but still he came to me as asked me to give him the ball and that he will turn the game [for Bangladesh]. He was very confident. Such things make the job easy for the captain. It might not always come in favor for us though, it might go against as well,” said Tamim who scored 44 and along with Liton Das got Bangladesh a smooth start with the bat.
South Africa were all-out in 48.5 over with 276 runs on the board to hand Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the series. The two teams will lock horns in the second game of the series at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.
“It is a big win for us. Very proud of the way the team played. Yasir's [Ali] innings was really special. Those small things - from Mehidy [Miraz] with the bat, and Mahmudullah - everything matters. It's a big thing for us – our fast bowlers are doing well and winning games for us. But during the last two years, the fast bowlers have been bowling brilliantly,” said Tamim.