Brave South Africa U19 beaten by Bangladesh U19

A brave attempt by South Africa Under-19 (SA U19) Men was not enough as they were beaten by 33 runs against Bangladesh Under-19 in the Youth One-Day International (YODI) tri-series final in Harare on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 270, the top four all got starts to leave their side on 111/2 at one stage, before they lost their way to be dismissed for 236.

Jorich van Schalkwyk (19), Adnaan Lagadien (40), captain Muhammad Bulbulia (31) and Jason Rowles (35) were the men that kept the South Africans in the hunt during the early part of the chase but Al Fahad (3/50) significantly got two of them in his impressive spell to ensure Bangladesh walked away with the title.

It was a nonetheless fruitful tournament for Malibongwe Maketa and his young charges, who have enjoyed some valuable game time over the last few weeks. This competition as well as a preceding YODI series against the Bangladeshis offered them further preparation as they build towards next year’s ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

On Sunday at the Harare Sports Club, they won the toss and opted to field first with Bandile Mbatha (2/50) and Bayanda Majola’s (1/41) early strikes briefly putting them on top.

The latter removed Rifat Beg (16), while the former ran out Zawad Abrar (21) and got rid of captain Azizul Hakim (7) after a fast start to reduce Bangladesh to 65 for three.

However, it was a struggle from there after Rizan Hossan (95 off 96 balls, 10x4) and Kalam Siddiki (65 off 76 balls, 6x4) put on 117 runs for the fourth wicket, with MD Abdullah (38*) then providing a rapid finish.

That helped propel the Junior Tigers to a 269/5.

The South African reply began well thanks to openers Van Schalkwyk and Lagadien, two of the team’s form players over the last few weeks. They put on 59 for the first wicket, before both departing.

But co-captains Bulbulia and Rowles then picked up the baton to take their side past 100 in a sound position.

However, Rizan Hossan (5/34) got through the defences of Bulbulia and Rowles fell to Shadhin Islam (2/34) as a collapse followed.

Maketa’s side then slipped to 164/7, only for their fighting spirit to be reignited by Mbatha (29) and Ntando Soni (34), who strung together a stand of 59 for the eighth wicket.

That briefly gave them hope, before star bowler Hossan ended it and helped his side close out the win.

SA U19 Men’s Squad

Muhammad Bulbulia (captain, KZN Inland), Jason Rowles (captain, Lions), JJ Basson (Lions), Corne Botha (Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Armaan Manack (Lions), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Kamogelo Phiri (Lions), Vihan Pretorius (Titans), Ntando Soni (Warriors) and Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).

Management

Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Blanche Conradie (Manager), Imraan Khan (Batting Coach), Paul Adams (Bowling Coach), Thabang Kumalo (Fielding Coach), Tumi Masekela (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Sheenagh Jordaan (Physiotherapist), Kyle Southgate (Team Analyst), Eugene Oppelt (Performance Psychologist) and Lita Gqirana (Media Manager).

Fixtures

Friday - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v South Africa U19 – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare (SA won by 278 runs)

Saturday - 9.15am

South Africa U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare (Bangladesh won by one wicket)

Monday - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare (Bangladesh won by 91 runs)

Tuesday - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare (SA won by 107 runs)

Thursday - 9.15am

Bangladesh U19 v South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare (SA won by five wickets)

Friday - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare (Bangladesh won by eight wickets)

Monday - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare (SA won by 226 runs)

Wednesday - 9.15am

South Africa U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare (Bangladesh won by five wickets)

Friday - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare (Bangladesh won by 160 runs)

Final: Sunday - 9.15am

South Africa U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare (Bangladesh won by 33 runs)