SA vs BAN | 3rd ODI: Ruthless Bangladesh script history in Centurion

The year 2022 continued to be a historic one for Bangladesh cricket as the Tamim Iqbal-led unit scripted yet another fairytale on Wednesday (March 23) to claim their maiden ODI series win over South Africa, that too in the Rainbow Nation.

Having notched up their maiden ODI win in South Africa in the first match of the series in Centurion, the Tigers put their best foot forward in the decider as they completely outplayed the Proteas in their den.

Batting first, the Proteas got off to a decent start as openers Janneman Malan (39 off 56 deliveries) and Quinton de Kock (12 off 8 deliveries) hammered 46 runs in just 6.5 overs.

But once Mehidy Hasan dismissed De Kock, Taskin Ahmed got into the act as he demolished the South African batting with a hostile, relentless display of pace bowling.

Ahmed used the variable bounce that the SuperSport Park pitch was offering to brilliant effect but most importantly, what he did was, instead of bowling short, he bowled at a fullish length, forcing the South African pacers to play.

Following the dismissal of Malan, Taskin was all over the South African batting unit like a cheap soup as the home side went from being 1-66 to 5-83 in no time.

That South Africa were able to get to 154 was largely due to Dwaine Pretorious (20 off 29 deliveries) and Keshav Maharaj, who chipped in with a handy 39-ball 28.

The Proteas were eventually dismissed for 154 in 37 overs, with Taskin Ahmed finishing with figures of 5-35 in 9 overs.

Defending a poultry total of 154, South Africa needed quick wickets in the powerplay to have any chance of averting a historic series defeat.

But, the opening duo of Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das ensured that it wasn't the case as the pair hammered the likes of Kagiso Rabada and co with ruthless disdain.

Skipper Tamim was the dominant partner during the 127-run-stand as the stylish southpaw showcased his full range of attractive as well as authoritative stroke play.

Maharaj broke the blistering partnership by removing Liton for a well compiled 57-ball 48 but the ship had already sailed by then.

Tamim stayed unbeaten on an 82-ball 87 while Shaqib hit the winning boundary to bring up a historic series win for their side in mere 26.3 overs.

Brief Scores:

South Africa 154/ 10 (37)

Janneman Malan 39 (56), Keshav Maharaj 28 (39); 

Taskin Ahmed 5/35 (9), Shakib Al Hasan 2-24 (9)

Bangladesh 156/1 (26.3) 

Tamim Iqbal 87* (82), Liton Das 48 (57); 

Keshav Maharaj 1/36 (7)

Bangladesh won by nine wickets.