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Unbeaten skipper Amla tames Bangladesh Tigers

An undefeated 88 from skipper Hashim Amla led South Africa to a 39-run victory over Bangladesh Tuesday in the second match of a non-cap Twenty20 tri-nations tournament.

South Africa made 209-3 off 20 overs in cool, partly cloudy conditions at Harare Sports Club and Bangladesh reached 170-8 in reply to suffer a second defeat in three days after failing by 11 runs against hosts Zimbabwe.

Amla, elevated to captain in the absence of injured Johan Botha, began slowly with opening partner Richard Levi (37) claiming most of the early runs, but once he got going the Bangladeshi Tigers bowlers suffered.

His chance-less knock after a two-month close-season lay-off included three sixes and nine fours off 53 balls while Levi banged two sixes and six fours in his 30-minute stay at the crease.

“We did quite well to make a below par, sorry, above par score as it put pressure on the Bangladeshis,” Amla said at the presentation ceremony with his slip of the tongue giving the crowd cause to chuckle.

Ziaur Rahman (1-28) was the best of the Bangladesh bowlers, none of whom got to grips with opponents whose total included eight sixes and 23 fours on a firm, run-friendly wicket devoid of grass.

Set a target of 10.50 runs an over for victory, the Tigers had only 19 on the scoreboard when opener Anamul Haque (1) departed and a good knock from Mohammad Ashraful (33) ended in the eighth over when he skied one to Amla.

Jahurul Islam (12) and Nasir Hossain (0) were dismissed in the following over and at 49-4, mission improbable quickly became mission impossible with only skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (50 not out) defying the Proteas bowlers.

“We have got to do the little things right when we play the big boys,” said Rahim. “Our bowlers let us down as we had to restrict South Africa to about 180 to have any chance of winning.”