Powered by Tamim Iqbal’s explosive unbeaten fifty and Taskin Ahmed’s career-best fifer, Bangladesh secured a dominant nine-wicket victory over South Africa to win their maiden series away from home in Centurion.
In an extraordinary performance at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Bangladesh triumphed in the third ODI, securing a 2-1 series victory over South Africa. The win marks Bangladesh’s first-ever series win on South African soil in any format.
Taskin Ahmed’s Magnificent Five-Fer Dismantles South Africa
The Tigers’ bowling attack, led by pacer Taskin Ahmed, dominated the South African batting order. Taskin claimed figures of 5/35 from nine overs, which contributed to South Africa’s dismal total of 154 all out in just 37 overs — their lowest-ever total against Bangladesh in ODIs. Taskin’s stunning spell included the wickets of key South African players, including Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, and Kagiso Rabada.
Utilising the extra bounce from the Centurion pitch, Taskin made excellent use of the conditions, forcing four of his five wickets to be edged to Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper, Mushfiqur Rahim, who celebrated a milestone of 200 ODI catches in the process.
South Africa’s Brief Spark Dies Out
South Africa began their innings with a solid opening partnership between Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan, who raced to 46 without loss in just seven overs. However, once Taskin found his rhythm, the Proteas’ resistance crumbled. Taskin’s relentless pace and bounce destroyed the middle order, leaving the South African team reeling and unable to recover.
Tamim Iqbal’s Commanding Fifty Seals the Victory
Chasing a modest target, Bangladesh’s captain Tamim Iqbal took charge. His blistering knock of 87 from just 82 balls guided the Tigers home with 141 balls to spare. The ever-graceful left-hander played with fluency, hitting boundaries all around the ground. Tamim’s performance, which included four boundaries in an over off the dangerous Kagiso Rabada, was pivotal in the historic victory.
Tamim also received support from Liton Das, who scored a solid 48 from 57 balls, including eight boundaries, before being dismissed near the end of the chase. Together, they built a 127-run opening partnership, Bangladesh’s highest opening stand in South Africa, setting the foundation for the team’s historic series win.
Bangladesh’s Opening Blitz: A Dream Start
The chase began with a remarkable flourish from both openers. Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das quickly knocked up a fifty-run partnership. Tamim’s aggressive approach, including a half-century off just 52 balls, put South Africa on the back foot early on. Rabada, who had troubled Bangladesh’s top order in the second ODI, was put under pressure by Tamim, who made quick work of him, forcing the Proteas captain to remove him from the attack.
Historic Victory for Bangladesh
The win in Centurion means that Bangladesh now holds their first-ever series win in South Africa, a significant achievement for the team. The victory was well-received by the large contingent of Bangladeshi fans present in the stadium, with Tamim Iqbal noting that the atmosphere in Centurion felt like a “mini Dhaka.”
With this remarkable performance, Bangladesh has not only secured the ODI series but also gained significant confidence going forward in international cricket.
Summary of Key Performances:
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | Wickets | Overs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taskin Ahmed (Bowler) | – | – | – | 5/35 | 9 |
| Tamim Iqbal (Batsman) | 87 | 82 | 10 | – | – |
| Liton Das (Batsman) | 48 | 57 | 8 | – | – |
| Kagiso Rabada (Bowler) | – | – | – | 0/39 | 6 |
Bangladesh’s superb all-round performance has made this series one to remember, with Taskin and Tamim leading the charge for the Tigers in an unforgettable ODI series triumph in South Africa.