S Africa lift Plate

South Africa crowned themselves as the new Plate winners of the World Youth Cricket Championship when they dethroned Bangladesh with a comprehensive 80-run victory in the final at the Asgariya Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka yesterday.

Bangladesh hopes of defending the consolation title, which they won in South Africa two years back, perished without trace when they were bundled out for 133 in 47.5 overs in reply to a commanding Proteas total of 213.

Although skipper Hannan Sarkar fought a lone battle with a dominating 51, Bangladesh were never up to the chase against quality South African bowling.

They got off to a disappointing start, losing both openers Nahidul Haq and Mohammed Selim with only 17 runs on the board.

Selim, an over-rated batsman, was first to go after making only one while Nahidul did a little better before becoming the first victim of Senekal, the most successful South African bowler with three for 20 runs in his 10 overs.

Coming in to bat at number three, Hannan tried to mend the early damage but received hardly any support. The dapper right-hander hammered eight fours in his 90-ball vigil that ended in the 33rd over, leaving Bangladesh at 113 for seven.

Mahfuz Kabir was the other double-digit scorer with 14.

Although the batting never came to grips with the situation, the bowling, spearheaded by left-arm seamer Bikash Ranjan Das, did a commendable job in containing the South Africans to a reasonable total after the eventual champions won the toss.

Bikash, who bowled well throughout the tournament, captured three wickets giving away 43 runs in his 10 overs. Leg-spinner Mosaddek Hossain, who also had a happy hunting in the competition, took two for 39.

South African opener Smith laid the foundations of a fighting total with a power-packed 51 off only 62 balls punctuated with half a dozen fours. Trott with patient 80-ball 41 was the other notable run-getter.

With this win South Africa emerged as unbeaten champions. For Bangladesh it was their second defeat in the meet. The lost to India in their opening match of the 16-team meet, that eventually denied them a place in the eight-team Cup race.