Bowlers, Soumya Help Bangladesh Draw Level

Dhaka: Bangladesh continued their impressive home run as they stunned South Africa by 7 wickets in the second ODI at Mirpur to level the 3-match ODI series.

After losing the 1st ODI by 8 wickets, South Africa were expected to impose themselves on the home team to wrap up the series, but they made a disastrous start after choosing to bat first.

Mustafizur removed de Kock early in the 5th over for just two runs. Just when it looked like Amla and du Plessis were consolidating, Rubel Hossain dismissed the South African captain. From there on, they kept losing wickets and ended up scoring just 162.

In reply, the home side were dealt an early blow as the newcomer Rabada removed Tamim Iqbal for just 5 runs in the second over. He then dismissed Litton Das in his next over, which gave the South Africans hope.

Then, opener Soumya Sarkar took control and forged a 135-run partnership with Mahmudullah to ensure that there were no more hiccups. He remained unbeaten on 88 from just 79 balls and was named the player of the match.

This win has also sealed their spot in the Champions Trophy. It’s now a face-off between Pakistan and West Indies for the final spot. The series decider will be played on the 15th.

Earlier, Nasir Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman claimed three wickets each as Bangladesh dismissed South Africa cheaply for 162 runs.

Nasir finished with a career best 3-26 while Mustafizur grabbed 3-38 as South Africa were bowled out to their lowest score against Bangladesh on a slow pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Left-arm pacer Mustafizur struck first in the fifth over when he forced a leading edge from opener Quinton de Kock as Sabbir Rahman took a simple catch at backward point.

Rubel Hossain, who returned to the starting lineup for leg-spinner Jubair Hossain in Bangladesh's only change from the opening match, made an instant impact by knocking the off stump off Hashim Amla (22).

South Africa began to feel pressure when Nasir bowled Rilee Rossouw off his first ball and Mahmudullah sent home David Miller forcing him to give a simple catch to Mashrafe Mortaza at short midwicket to leave the side wobbling at 74 for four.

Brief scores
South Africa - 162 (Nasir Hossain 3-26, Mustafizur Rahman 3-38)
Bangladesh - 167/3 (Soumya Sarkar 88*, Mahmudullah 50)
Result - Bangladesh won by 7 wickets
MOM - Soumya Sarkar (Bangladesh)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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