South Africa’s young prospects showed great promise as the SA Invitation XI drew with Bangladesh in their three-day match in Benoni.
It was a match highlighted by potential, with 19-year-old Michael Cohen starring on day one with 4-23 to help reduce Bangladesh to 306-7d and a 60 from Zubayr Hamza (22) which helped SA to 313-7d.
With the visitors starting day three on 6-0, a dominant bowling display was needed by the hosts early on to give themselves a chance of victory. Things started as planned as Tladi Bokako struck early, but Imrul Kayes saw the visitors to 80 before Cohen removed him on 51.
Then came a destructive spinning performance from Shaun von Berg, who dismissed Mominul Haque (33) and Mushfiqur Rahim (3) in successive overs.
Sabbir Rahman got stuck in despite Leus du Plooy knocking off his partners on the other end; Mahmudullah and Mehidy Hasan Miraz both dismissed by the 22-year-old.
Rahman got his side to 200, but spin continued to be Bangladesh’s Achilles heel, as Von Berg removed Rahman on 67. He struck in the next over for his fourth and Migael Pretorius took Bangladesh’s ninth, as the match petered out with the visitors on 235-9.
Photo: Peter Heeger/Gallo Images
