South Africa lost their opening match of the U19 World Cup against Bangladesh by 43 runs, despite a hundred by Liam Smith.
It was a disappointing batting performance by the South Africans after they were set a target of 241 for victory. They were bowled out for 197.
They struggled to get the run-rate up to four runs an over and scored only 13 boundaries. There were too many dot balls and a failure to regularly rotate the strike put them under a lot of pressure towards the end. Only four batsmen reached double figures.
The Bangladesh bowlers must receive credit for the way they bowled. They were very disciplined and energetic in the field and gave the batsmen almost nothing to hit.
Smith (100 off 146 balls) hit nine fours and a six and formed the rock of the innings as wickets tumbled around him. He showed the necessary application and patience to succeed on a slow wicket and was rewarded with his first century at this level.
Wiaan Mulder was bowled by a delivery which straightened but his feet were nowhere. He got stuck the crease playing neither forward nor backward. Captain Tony de Zorzi (8) was unlucky. His dismissal will go down as being bowled after the ball rolled on to his stumps coming off his own pads.
When Rivaldo Moonsamy got trapped lbw, South Africa were in deep trouble on 60-4. Smith found a willing partner in Dayyaan Galiem and together they went about stabilising the innings with a 52-run partnership.
In the end the asking rate became too high and in an attempt to get hit some boundaries wickets fell to catches in the outfield.
This defeat means South Africa will have to win their other two games, against Namibia and Scotland, if they are to progress in this tournament.
Earlier, South Africa bowled well 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.
South Africa looked solid in the field and bowled with good discipline in the last 10 overs. Nazmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with 73 from 82 balls, sharing a 59-run partnership with Hasan.
De Zorzi got the breakthrough that ended the partnership as Hasan was caught at mid-wicket. 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.
Picture: Gallo Images
