Majola's effort with the ball in vain as SA U19s go down to Bangladesh

Bayanda Majola claimed an impressive four-wicket haul but it was not enough for South Africa Under-19 (SA U19) Men as they were edged out by five wickets against Bangladesh Under-19 in their last round-robin match of the Youth One-Day International (YODI) tri-series in Harare on Wednesday.

The seamer claimed 4/29 in an excellent 10 overs, with his strikes initially leaving Bangladesh in heaps of trouble chasing 148, before they recovered to chase down the target with a little over 20 overs to spare.

Earlier, it was Majola’s fast-bowling compatriot Bandile Mbatha who had to bail out his side with a top score of 39 – helping them recover from 45/5 to reach 147 all out in 37.2 overs at the Harare Sports Club.

Paul James struck 33 but the rest of the line-up faltered with Sanjid Mozumder bagging 4/39. But after slipping into deep trouble at 68/5 early in the chase on account of Majola’s magic, Samiun Basir (52* off 36 balls, 6x4, 3x6) hit an unbeaten half-century to lead the recovery and steer his side home.

The result meant Bangladesh had now beaten the South Africans two out of three times in the competition to date, though the two are scheduled for one more showdown in the final on Sunday.

And Malibongwe Maketa’s side will be determined to end well, particularly with the bat, against the junior Tigers.

Adnaan Lagadien did the best amongst the recognised batters with 16, while Jorich van Schalkwyk (5), captain Jason Rowles (4), Kamogelo Phiri (1) and Daniel Bosman (8) were all dismissed for single figures.

Vihan Pretorius (18) helped James take the score from 45/5 to 82/5, before the latter and Mbatha added 34 for the seventh wicket. Samiun Basir (2/23) then helped clean up the tail and SA were all out with 12.4 overs to spare.

Majola and James (1/23) ran riot early on to put their side on top by the 18th over.

However, Basir’s dashing half-century, together with MD Abdullah’s unbeaten 20 carried their side to victory through an unbroken 80-run stand.

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

Final: Sunday - 9.15am

South Africa U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare