South Africa Under-19 avoided a series whitewash with a 14-run win via the Duckworth–Lewis method in the third and final youth ODI in Benoni, riding on a breathtaking 164* from opener J. van Schalkwyk.
Asked to bat first, Bangladesh’s openers came out firing. Jawad Abrar and Rifat Pradhan Beg stitched together a rapid 97-run stand, laying the foundation for what would become Bangladesh’s highest-ever youth ODI total against South Africa.
Jawad, fresh off two fifties in the series, reached another half-century in just 33 balls before falling for 68. Rifat carried on the momentum, forging a 125-run partnership with Kalam Siddique Alin. Both reached fifties, with Rifat scoring 86 off 107 balls and Alin smashing 85 off 78.
Captain Azizul Hakim Tamim chipped in with a quick 29 off 19 deliveries as Bangladesh powered their way to 320 all out in 50 overs surpassing their previous best of 304 for 7 against the same opposition ten years ago.
Despite the total, South African pacer I. Sony caused damage at the death, finishing with 6 wickets, including both set batters.
Chasing 321, South Africa suffered an early blow as Shaharia Al-Amin struck in the fifth over. But Schalkwyk and Mohammad Bulbulia steadied the innings with a massive 181-run stand for the second wicket.
Although Bulbulia departed for 62, Schalkwyk continued unfazed, pacing his innings with maturity and aggression. South Africa reached 277 for 3 after 44 overs when bad light brought the game to a premature end.
Needing 44 off the last 6 overs, South Africa were awarded a 14-run win under the DLS method their only success of the tour. Schalkwyk remained unbeaten on a magnificent 164 off 156 balls, anchoring the chase with composure.
