Cubs doing what Tigers couldn't

A brilliant all-round performance from skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz led Bangladesh Under-19s to a brilliant 29-run victory over their South African counterparts in Durban yesterday. The win gave the hosts a 2-0 lead in the seven match youth ODI series.

Batting first in a match that was reduced to 30 overs per side, Bangladesh were in trouble early on as they crumbled to 49 for 3 in 13.3 overs. It didn't seem likely that the visitors would be able to post a defendable total at that point in time.

However, a 60-run stand between Mehedi and wicketkeeper-batsman Zakir Hasan led the visitors to 157 at the end of 30 overs. While Mehedi smacked 57 off 50 balls -- an innings which included eight fours -- Zakir hit 33 off 30 balls.

Despite the late comeback, a win for the visitors was still uncertain as their total was far from imposing.

However, a good start after the exchange from Bangladesh's bowlers put the hosts under pressure. The South Africans lost a string of wickets and after 15 overs found themselves struggling at 59 for 5.

The chief destroyers were spinners Mehedi and Mosabbek Hossain, who both took three wickets each. While Mehedi finished with figures of 3 for 33 in six overs, Mosabbek gave away just 19 runs in his five overs. Pacer Rifat Pradhan finished with miserly figures of 2 for 13 as the South Africans were restricted to 128 for 9 at the end of their innings.