MOMENTS
Mehedi's wishful thinking
Mehedi Hasan Miraz was expensive in the first Test almost a month ago and bowled 67 wicketless overs, and has not had a place in the eleven since, before yesterday's third ODI at Buffalo Park. So it was no surprise that he was overjoyed when he gave the team their first breakthrough by dismissing Temba Bavuma with the score on 119. His joy only increased when he got the other opener, Quinton de Kock, soon afterwards. But he was pushing it in the 24th over when he appealed loudly for a caught and bowled decision after Markram had clearly jammed a yorker into the ground before it reached Mehedi. No one else was remotely interested, and Mehedi walked back. That was the last joy for Bangladesh for 16 overs.
Captains' mismatch
The two captains came up against each other during Faf du Plessis and Aiden Markram's 151-run third-wicket stand, and in keeping with everything else on tour, Du Plessis blew his Bangladesh counterpart out of the water. In the 36th over, Mashrafe was bowling off-cutters and concentrating on an outside off stump line, but Du Plessis had the answer. In the second ball, he shuffled across and scooped the ball for a one-bounce four to fine leg, only Mashrafe's lack of pace preventing it from carrying for six. He repeated the same shot the next ball and Mashrafe moved fine leg straighter. But that was of no use as off the last ball, Du Plessis stepped out and hammered the ball for four straight down the ground. Mashrafe 0, Du Plessis 3. Quite apt.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Markram's tragic symmetry
Markram is one of the most promising youngsters to have entered the international game, and he proved that with a bright debut earlier during the Test leg of the tour. It could have been brighter because he was run out four short of a hundred in Potchefstroom when it looked for all money that he will get a hundred and much more. Yesterday, he had not scored as much, but on 66 looked a sure bet to reach a debut ODI hundred. But the result was the same, Markram sprawled on the ground, the umpire calling for the replays, and moments later the young man walking back with head bowed.