South Africa defeat Bangladesh in Twenty20

Thursday, November 6, 2008 -- South Africa won by 12 runs as per the D/L method against Bangladesh at Johannesburg in the tour opening Twenty20 match. The home team scored 118 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in which AB de Villiers contributed a handsome 36. On the other side, Abdur Razzak finished with career best figures of 4 for 16. In reply, Bangladesh scored 109 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in which the important contributors were Mohammad Ashraful who scored 21 and Tamim Iqbal who scored 25.

South Africa innings

Herschelle Gibbs displayed his trademark cover drives against Syed Rasel. At the end of 4 overs, the team had reached 43. However, Rasel exhibited a good line and length and dismissed Gibbs through an inside edge. Loots Bosman hit a huge six off the bowling of Hossain, but was sent back when he attempted a similar shot off the bowling of Razzak. Due to lightening and thunder, the play was stopped for 30 minutes and again for 45 minutes. Albie Morkel, JP Duminy and Justin Ontong attempted mammoth shots and all three were out for a score of 6 each. The sole batsman to keep the situation under control was AB de Villiers.

Bangladesh innings

The Duckworth-Lewis revised target for the team was 122. In 3 overs, the team reached 25 due to the batting of Tamim and Junaid Siddique. Siddique was quickly out and then Ashraful displayed a scintillating 21 off 10 deliveries. He was sent back to the pavilion by Johan Botha who was the stand-in captain in place of Graeme Smith who was injured. Raqibul Hasan was dismissed by Morkel while Tamim lost his wicket in an attempt to charge Botha. Johann Louw bowled an impressive over in which just 3 runs were scored. Due to this the asking rate for Bangladesh soared and they lost the match.