SA seek series win, Bangla hope to stay alive
Agencies
Mirpur
Kagiso Rabada's record-breaking feat in the opening ODI helped South Africa thrash Bangladesh by eight wickets and the visitors will be looking to carry the momentum forward as they seek a series win in the second ODI in Mirpur. Meanwhile, the hosts, who were found wanting in all departments, will be eager to pull up their socks and show more application as they look to stay alive in the series.
Rabada became only the second player to take a hat-trick on debut and also registered the best figures (6/18) on ODI debut. He may not come up with a similar show in the second game, but the South African team management will be hoping that the 20-year-old and his colleagues remain as disciplined as they were in the opening match.
Faf du Plessis' fine half-century and his unbroken 99-run third-wicket stand with Rilee Rossouw helped the Proteas win with 8.5 overs to spare in a rain-curtailed encounter. While Hashim Amla will be hoping for the pair to continue the good work in the absence of AB de Villiers, the stand-in skipper will also be looking to contribute with the bat, having failed in the first game.
Barring fighting knocks from Shakib Al Hasan (48) and Nasir Hossain (31), none of the Bangladesh batsmen had any answers to the youngster Rabada, who ripped through the batting order with minimum fuss. The batsmen had themselves to blame as most of them got out to poor strokes and lacked the discipline required against a good bowling attack. Skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, who admitted that the batsmen made a hash of things on a good batting wicket, will be hoping for a better performance from them, while he will also expect the bowlers to hit the right lines and not make it easy for the South African batsmen.
