SAfrica smash way into Dhaka final

DHAKA: South Africa crushed Bangladesh by 93 runs to reach the Dhaka triangular tournament final yesterday, as Shaun Pollock became the country’s highest one-day wicket taker.

South Africa made 261 for five in their 50 overs, captain Graeme Smith and Jacques Rudolph making half-centuries, before Pollock claimed his 273rd victim to help bowl out the hosts for 168 on the way to their fourth defeat of the tournament. Bangladesh, now without a victory in 36 one-day internationals, were never in the hunt after openers Mehrab Hossain and Mohammad Ashraful found Makhaya Ntini and Pollock too hot to handle.

Alok Kapali and captain Khaled Mahmud shared a 55-run fifth wicket partnership before quickie Andrew Hall removed Mahmud. Kapali top-scored with a defiant 70 before falling to Hall, but Pollock returned to complete figures of three for 17 and Bangladesh were all out in the 49th over. Earlier, left-hander Rudolph scored 81 after Smith had set the tone with an aggressive 67. Rudolph, playing only his third one-dayer, showed excellent footwork to the spinners before driving Hossain fluently through cover to reach his maiden 50.

Pollock smashed 38 not out from only 20 balls, adding 69 runs for the sixth wicket with Neil McKenzie (39 not out). South Africa, at 216 for five after 46 overs, looked set to finish with a modest total before Pollock and McKenzie tore into the hosts’ mediocre attack. South Africa were struggling on 192 for five but Pollock went after captain Khaled Mahmud, smashing 20 runs in the 47th over including two huge straight sixes. South Africa meet India today in the final group match before the two sides clash in the final on Sunday.