South Africa’s U19s managed to restrict hosts Bangladesh to 240-7 in their opening match of the U19 World Cup in Chittagong.

Bangladesh captain Mehedi Hasan won the toss and elected to bat first. South Africa, led by Tony de Zorzi, bowled well though and never allowed the opposition batsmen to get away from them. They kept the run-rate under five an over and took wickets at regular intervals to keep themselves in the game.

These two teams have played against each other 14 times over the last nine months and South Africa only managed to win three of those encounters.

They looked solid in the field and bowled with good discipline in the last 10 overs. Nazmul Hossain Shanto was the rock of the Bangladesh innings with 73 from 82 balls. He shared a 59-run partnership with Hasan.

De Zorzi got the breakthrough that ended the partnership as Hasan was caught at mid-wicket. Wiaan Mulder got the big wicket of Shanto when he bowled him a perfect yorker as the batsman tried to paddle scoop him down the leg side.

Mulder finished with 3-42 in nine overs. While 240 is a competitive total on this wicket, South Africa should feel confident of chasing it down. A victory will likely ensure them top spot in Pool A and a guaranteed place in the play-offs, considering Namibia and Scotland are the other teams in their pool.