Bangladesh scripted history on Wednesday as they managed to beat South Africa in the three-match ODI series by 2-1. Winning a series in the rainbow nation has always been a difficult task. Owing to the domination of the Proteas at home, it has always been difficult for teams to win a game in this part of the world, let alone win a series.
As a matter of fact, India were recently whitewashed by the Temba Bavuma-led side in a three-match ODI series not too long ago. During those games, the hosts didn't even have the services of their lead pacer Kagiso Rabada, but still managed to beat the men in blue rather comfortably. Thus, Bangladesh's series victory in South Africa gets better when one realizes that the Proteas were playing with almost their full-strength side.
After winning the first one-dayer, the visitors had a forgettable second one-dayer as they were bundled for 194. Hence, the third 50-over game was the series decider. Most of the experts felt that the hosts would win this match, but the Bangladesh tigers had other plans.
After being asked to bowl first by the Proteas in the third ODI, the bowlers of the Tamim Iqbal-led side were absolutely ruthless and hardly gave any breathing space to the opposition batters. They kept picking wickets at regular intervals. Taskin Ahmed in particular was breathing fire as he went on to pick a memorable fifer.
Due to his sensational effort, South Africa were bundled for 154. The visitors chased 155 in the second innings without breaking a sweat and thus, won the and series. Ahmed went on to win the player of the match award as well as the player of the series award. Iqbal was a happy captain during the post-match presentation as he stated that this was one of their biggest achievements.
"I am very proud, especially with a Bangladesh fast bowler getting Player of the Match and Player of the series. I want to thank all the coaches who have worked with the fast bowlers, they have done a fantastic job. This is one of our biggest achievements, it's a massive win. We now believe we can win series overseas, and this win will give us that confidence moving forward. We take a lot of pride in ODI cricket, we believe we are a good side. This is one format where we have been doing well in the last 5-6 years. Winning a series overseas was missing, but we have managed to do that this time.
For Shakib to come here and play is massive. Shakib's family is in the hospital, so I want to thank him for coming here and playing for us. I feel this is like mini Dhaka, the fans have been brilliant. Wherever we go, they are there for us, whether we win or lose. I'm not the Test captain, but we would like to do well there as well. We did well against New Zealand, so we would like to do that here as well," said Tamim Iqbal.
Here are some of the Tweets that congratulated Bangladesh for their historic series victory
The dream is now a reality.
— Saif Ahmed (@saifahmed75) March 23, 2022
FIVE WICKET-HAUL for Taskin Ahmed in South Africa. No one deserves this more than him. Live the dream, champ. #SAvsBAN #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/njJFmwLgw0
Taskin Ahmed becomes the first Bangladesh player to take a fifer in South Africa.#TaskinAhmed #SAvBAN #SouthAfrica #Bangladesh #Cricket #CricTraker pic.twitter.com/NZXasTHwce
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 23, 2022
If life gives you second chance,be Taskin Ahmed 🐯😎♥️🔥.
— •.¸♡𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒛𝒊𝒂 (@Marzu_07) March 23, 2022
Proud of you men @Taskin_Official ❤️#BanvsSA #tigers #Bangladesh #TaskinAhmed #CricketTwitter #Cricket pic.twitter.com/PIXiFqBOX9
2⃣-1⃣
— MD-Abid husan🇧🇩 #🇶🇦 (@Alomgir72355226) March 23, 2022
Bangladesh win the #SAvBAN ODI series! In South Africa
🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩 pic.twitter.com/OvBs1pVNsm
What a day for Bangladesh cricket, they have beaten South Africa by 9 wickets in 3rd ODI & won the series by 2-1. It's first time that Bangladesh has defeated South Africa in an international series in SA. Recently they had won a Test in NZ & now clinched mighty proteas. #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/2M0JIB9KLR
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) March 23, 2022
Congratulations to @BCBtigers to all players, especially @TamimOfficial28 @Taskin_Official @Sah75official @AhD18Official @LittonOfficial for outstanding team effort, a record series win in South Africa. #RiseofTigers
— Mohamed Shah Alam (Abdullah) (@mozidalam) March 23, 2022
Well done Coach @RussellDomingo and your @BCBtigers team. #HistoryMakers 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/I5xGYhcRWe
— Ashwell Prince (@ashyp_5) March 23, 2022
Very first series victory in 🇿🇦 for 🇧🇩. Taskin Ahmed bhai did great job 🔥. Alhamdulillah for everything. pic.twitter.com/AbQLTnA0MQ
— Mehidy Hasan Miraz (@Officialmiraz) March 23, 2022
Wonderful victory Bangladesh Cricket team
— Mdibrahim Khalil (@Mdibrah48204419) March 23, 2022
Bangladesh Tiger 🐯💪✌️ pic.twitter.com/tIox713BSk
Bangladesh beat South Africa 2-1 to win ODI series for the first time on home soil. pic.twitter.com/Sig30yY3xE
— Pollab Hossain (@pollab_ahmed) March 23, 2022