Bangladesh Academy claim tense three-run win

Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy 217 (Marshall 62, Kayes 56, de Villiers 4-29) and 237 (Marshall 72) beat South Africa Academy 374 (van Zyl 161, Vilas 78, van der Merwe 50*, Alam 4-86) and 77 (van der Merwe 23, Alam 4-38) by three runs
Scorecard

The Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy skittled the South Africa Academy for just 77 to claim a thrilling three-run win in their four-day match in Pretoria.

Double strikes from Mahbubul Alam and Shafaq Al Zabir had South Africa reeling at 32 for 7. Roelof van der Merwe and CJ de Villiers then took them to within ten runs of victory before Alam had van der Merwe trapped lbw. In a nail-biting finale, the hosts inched towards a win: soon four runs were needed with two wickets in hand. Alam struck again, removing Basheeru-Deen Walters and two balls later Bangladesh's captain Suhrawadi Shuvo bowled de Villiers to complete a stunning turnaround.

The visitors had been playing catch up for most of the match after de Villiers sliced through their batting to restrict them to 217 in the first innings. South Africa tightened their grip with a commanding batting performance, led by opener Stiaan van Zyl's 161. Half-centuries by Rushdi Jappie, Dane Vilas and van der Merwe helped the hosts to a 157-run lead. The advantage would have been even more substantial had it not been for Alam's four wickets.

In the second innings, Bangladesh lost their openers with 24 on the board, and a double-blow from the left-arm spin of van der Merwe reduced them to 80 for 4. The rescue act was led by Marshall Ayub, who made an unbeaten 72 and was involved in crucial stands with Nadif Chowdhury (37) and Shuvo (20). That lifted them to 237, leaving South Africa firmly in control and needing a paltry 81 for victory before Bangladesh turned the tables on them with a superb bowling performance.

The second and final four-day match will be played at the Laudium Oval in Pretoria, starting on Thursday.