Bangladesh Under-19s warmed up for the tri-nation series final in style, defeating South Africa Under-19s by five wickets on Wednesday in Harare. The win comes just days ahead of the final, where the two sides are set to meet again on 10 August.
Having already sealed a place in the final with an earlier win over Zimbabwe on 16 July, Bangladesh treated this match as a dress rehearsal. Captain Azizul Hakim elected to field first after winning the toss — a move that paid off swiftly.
Pacer Iqbal Hossain Emon struck early, removing opener Jorich Van Schalkwyk for five, before Al Fahad dismissed Adnaan Lagadien for 16. From there, it was the Sanjid Mozumder show. The left-arm spinner ripped through the top and middle order, taking 4 for 39 as South Africa were bowled out for just 147 in 37.2 overs. Bandile Mbatha top-scored for the Proteas with a gritty 39 off 59 balls.
Al Fahad and Samiun Bashir chipped in with two wickets each, rounding off an impressive bowling effort from the young Tigers.
Target set 🎯
Bangladesh U19 have bowled out South Africa U19 for 147 in 37.2 overs ☝
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Ball-by-ball 📝: https://t.co/YfkVvf0AfV#ExperienceZimbabwe #U19TriSeries #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/wG450oDwn3— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) August 6, 2025
In reply, Bangladesh made a shaky start, slumping to 68 for five. Rifat Beg offered early resistance with a fluent 43, but a collapse followed, triggered by South African seamer Bayanda Majola, who claimed four wickets, including Rifat’s.
However, Samiun Bashir turned the game on its head with a blistering 52* off just 36 deliveries. He shared an unbroken 80-run stand with Md Abdullah (20 not out) to steer Bangladesh home in just 29.3 overs.
Bangladesh next face Zimbabwe on 8 August in their final group-stage match before the rematch with South Africa in the series final.