The South African Under-19s went down by 58 runs in the sixth ODI against Bangladesh, and with it went the seven-match series, 4-2.

It has been a disappointing home tour for the young Proteas, who had hoped to redeem themselves after losing 6-1 in their recent tour in Bangladesh.

The bowling was once again shown up after the Proteas won the toss and sent the visitors in to bat at Chatsworth Stadium, Durban, although hope flickered briefly when Dayyaan Galiem sent back Saif Hassan in the first over. But Pinak Ghosh and Joyraz Sheik settled in comfortably to build a partnership of 137 in 29 overs, reaching a run-rate of 4.67. They ended on 304-7.

The run-rate was the undoing of the hosts, for while Liam Smith and Matthew Breetzke also  dug in well and put on 72 in 19 overs, the run rate was beginning to slip away from them. When Smith was bowled for 31 off 49 balls, it had risen to 7.5. At the halfway-stage, at 88-1, it was nearing nine.

Breetzke, brought into the side after Rivaldo Moonsamy was rested for the first time in the series, went on to make a solid 62 off 94 balls, but when he was run out, the innings lost momentum, although Galiem tried to inject some urgency with 28 off 15 balls. Players got in and got out regularly as they tried to force the pace.

The Bangladeshis had built a rock-solid platform on the back of Pinak Ghosh’s brilliant 150, which came off 141 balls with 21 fours and six; Sheik ended on 64 off 96 (6×4, 2×6). There was not much input thereafter, apart from a demoralising 16 off nine balls by Mohammad Saifuddin, and, once again, a significant contribution from the extras: 12 wides and four no-balls among them.

The final match is on Sunday.

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