Rakibul and Mahfuzur shine as Bangladesh Emerging clinch series

A composed display from Rakibul Hasan and Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbi with both bat and ball guided Bangladesh Emerging to a 34-run victory over South Africa Emerging in the deciding one-dayer, sealing a 2–1 series win at the Rajshahi divisional stadium.

Having been put into bat after losing the toss, Bangladesh found themselves in early trouble at 118 for 7. But a gritty 84-run stand between Rakibul and Mahfuzur not only revived the innings but also pushed the hosts to a defendable total of 225. Rakibul made 42 off 40 balls, while Mahfuzur struck a patient 58 off 77 deliveries, reaching his fifty with a towering six.

South Africa's chase never quite found rhythm, stuttering early against Rakibul's left-arm spin before collapsing under sustained pressure. Rakibul, who returned figures of 4 for 26 from 10 overs, was instrumental in dismantling the visitors' middle order, while Mahfuzur supported ably with 2 for 36. The final breakthrough came via a direct hit from Ariful Islam, who ran out Nqobani Mokoena for 37 to wrap up the win.

Earlier, Bangladesh's innings began poorly, with opener Rizwan falling for a duck in the third over to a delivery from Michael van Vuuren. Mahfizul Islam Robin and Rayan Rafsan briefly steadied the ship, but Rafsan's mistimed sweep saw him caught for 19. Mahfizul, who had made a half-century in the first ODI, couldn't carry on and was dismissed for 26.

Captain Akbar Ali provided some resistance with 38, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Sesona Sepo led the bowling for the visitors with 3 for 39, while Van Vuuren picked up two wickets.

The lower-order rescue act by Rakibul and Mahfuzur ensured Bangladesh crossed the 200-run mark. Mahfuzur fell after his half-century, and Rakibul was dismissed not long after, but their efforts had already changed the complexion of the match.

South Africa's reply mirrored Bangladesh's top-order struggles. Rakibul struck in the second over to bowl Mika L Prince, before Mahfuzur had Richard Seletwane caught behind. George van Heerden and Andile Mogakane looked to stabilise, but both were undone by Rakibul, who removed them in quick succession.

The pressure kept mounting as Dean Forrester, Romashan Pillay, and Conor Boyd all fell cheaply, reducing the visitors to 94 for 7. Michael van Vuuren (40) and Mokoena added valuable runs in the lower order, followed by a stubborn 42-run stand between Mokoena and Innocent Ntuli.

However, just when the match seemed to be tilting again, Wasi Siddique dismissed Van Vuuren and Rakibul returned to remove Ntuli. Mokoena's run-out in the next over dashed any remaining hopes for South Africa, who were all out for 191.