Mumbai: South Africa registered a massive 149-run victory over Bangladesh in the ICC ODI World Cup on Tuesday, thanks to the brilliant batting performances of Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen. De Kock scored a magnificent 174 off 140 balls, while Klaasen smashed 90 off just 49 balls to power South Africa to a mammoth total of 382 for five. Bangladesh could only manage 233 all out in 46.4 overs, despite a fighting century from Mahmudullah. With this win, South Africa moved to the second spot in the points table with eight points from five matches, while Bangladesh remained at the bottom with four consecutive losses.
De Kock and Klaasen dominate Bangladesh bowlers
South Africa, who opted to bat first, lost Reeza Hendricks (12) and Rassie Van der Dussen (01) cheaply to slip to 36 for two. However, De Kock and captain Aiden Markram (60 off 69 balls) steadied the innings with a 131-run stand for the third wicket. De Kock was in sublime form as he hit 15 fours and seven sixes in his innings. He reached his third century of the tournament and 20th of his ODI career in exactly 100 balls. He also became the first South African batsman to score three centuries in a single World Cup edition.
Markram played a supportive role and completed his ninth ODI fifty with a boundary off Mirage. He was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan after hitting seven fours. De Kock then found an aggressive partner in Klaasen, who joined him in a 142-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 87 balls. Klaasen was ruthless against the Bangladesh bowlers as he hit two fours and eight sixes in his knock. He fell short of his maiden ODI hundred by 10 runs when he was caught by Liton Das off Taskin Ahmed.
David Miller (34 not out off 15 balls) then provided the finishing touches with some big hits as South Africa piled up 144 runs in the last 10 overs. They finished with 382 for five, their highest total in World Cup history.
Mahmudullah’s lone battle goes in vain
Chasing a daunting target of 383, Bangladesh got off to a disastrous start as they lost half their side for 81 runs. Yanson removed Tanjid Hasan (12) and Nazmul Hasan Shanto (00) on consecutive balls in the seventh over. Shakib Al Hasan (01) survived the hat-trick ball but was caught by Klaasen off Lizard Williams in the next over. Mushfiqur Rahim (08), another experienced batsman, also failed to deliver and was caught by Klaasen off Gerald Coetzee. Liton Das (22 off 44 balls) was the next to go as he was bowled by Kagiso Rabada.
Mahmudullah was the only Bangladesh batsman who showed some resistance as he scored his fourth ODI hundred and first in the World Cup. He scored 111 off 111 balls with 11 fours and four sixes. He got some support from the lower-order batsmen, especially Taskin Ahmed (28 off 25 balls) and Mirage (20 off 18 balls), who helped him reduce the margin of defeat. He completed his century in 104 balls but could not prevent Bangladesh from being bowled out for 233 in 46.4 overs.
For South Africa, Coetzee was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Williams, Rabada, and Marco Johnson picked up two wickets each. De Kock was adjudged the man of the match for his splendid knock.
Point Table:
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | +1.353 |
| South Africa | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 | +2.370 |
| New Zealand | 5 | 4 | 1 | 8 | +1.481 |
| Australia | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -0.193 |
| Pakistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -0.400 |
| Afghanistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -0.969 |
| Netherlands | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -0.790 |
| Sri Lanka | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1.048 |
| England | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1.248 |
| Bangladesh | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | -1.253 |
India is at the top of the table with five wins out of five matches, followed by South Africa and New Zealand with four wins each. Bangladesh is at the bottom of the table with five losses out of five matches. The top four teams at the end of the group stage will qualify for the semifinals.
