Soumya shines but Tigers fall short

Opener Soumya Sarkar’s 31-ball 47 had given Bangladesh hope, but South Africa bowlers fought back to clinch a 20–run victory in the first T20 match at Bloemfontein on Thursday.

Chasing a big total of 196, Bangladesh were off to a flying start, thanks to Soumya’s blistering innings that featured five fours and two sixes.

However, his fellow batsmen failed to give him due support and Bangladesh lost yet another game in the tour.

If Soumya’s innings was one positive in the game, another was Mohammad Saifuddin’s knock. The all-rounder, who came at number seven, made 39 off 27 balls, with three fours and a six, to take the team to 175, which means a respectable defeat.

South Africa bowlers Dane Paterson, Beuran Hendricks, Robbie Frylinck and Andile Phehlukwayo bagged two wickets each.

Winning the toss, stand-in South Africa skipper JP Duminy had opted to bat first, but Mehidy Hasan Miraz dealt the hosts a blow in the second over, leaving Hashim Amla's wickets in a mess.

Opener Quinton de Kock and one-down batsman AB de Villiers then added 79 in the second wicket before Miraz struck again to deny the latter a fifty.

Man-of-the-match De Villiers’ 49 came in just 27 balls, thanks to eight fours, while De Kock fired 59 off 44, courtesy of five fours and a six.

Following the departure of the duo, Farhaan Behardien and David Miller made 62 in 31 balls to take the team to a big total.

Behardien slammed an unbeaten 36 in just 17 balls with two fours and two sixes while Miller hit 25 off 19.

Bangladesh were dreaming of a first victory of the tour as long as Soumya was in the crease, but they can at least take consolation in the fact that it was there best performance in South Africa this time around.

They play the second T20 on Sunday, which gives them the last chance to salvage some pride.