Dominant South Africa keep series alive

South Africa Under-19 kept the seven-match Youth ODI series against Bangladesh alive with a 34-run win in a rain-affected encounter in Pietermaritzburg. South Africa now trail 3-2 with two matches to go.

South Africa got off to a solid start in the 38-over contest after being put in to bat, with the openers Liam Smith and Rivaldo Moonsammy putting on 34 in 40 balls. Moonsammy then added 39 with Matthew Breetzke before Bangladesh forced themselves back with three wickets in the space of 38 balls. From 85 for 4, South Africa got back on track via a 94-run fifth-wicket stand between Wiaan Mulder and Dayyaan Galiem. Mulder hit nine fours in his 56, while Galiem struck three fours and a six in his 39-ball 42 which helped South Africa to a total of 183 for 6.

Bangladesh did not start well in their chase, losing three wickets within the first four overs. They lost another clump of wickets as they went from 44 for 3 to 48 for 6. Mehedi Hasan Miraz (67) and Mosabbek Hossain (40) offered resistance with a 80-run seventh-wicket partnership but Bangladesh couldn't revive the chase and were eventually bowled out for 149 in 31 overs. Fast bowler Lutho Sipamla finished with figures of 3 for 32.

"I think we started off better than in any of our other games in terms of batting," South Africa U-19 captain Tony de Zorzi said. "The most important thing for us is to perfect our mental game and I believe in the last couple of days we have come very close to getting where we want to be with that. I think once we have that under our full control, they won't be able to come close to us."