Quinton de Kock
MUMBAI: ‘Run machine’ Quinton de Kock racked up his third century in five innings as South Africa extended its belligerent run in the World Cup with a 149-run win over Bangladesh here on Tuesday.
Having piled up the third highest total of 382/5 in this World Cup — the first two also belonging to the rampant Proteas — South Africa ran through a largely disappointing Bangladesh batting effort, dismissing its opponent for 233 in 46.4 overs.
Mahmudullah Riyad struck a valiant 111 off as many balls — his fourth ton in 225 ODIs and first in six years — but the other Bangladesh batters cut a sorry figure on a pitch that remained conducive for batting. It was Bangladesh’s fourth consecutive loss in the World Cup while South Africa now has four wins from five games.
Bangladesh was cautious to begin with but twin strikes from Marco Jansen (2/39) in the seventh over to get Tanzid Hasan (12) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) caught behind, and in the next, Lizaad Williams (2/56) dismissing Shakib Al Hasan (1), broke its back.
Litton Das (22) was pinned leg-before by Kagiso Rabada (2/42) while the dependable Mushfiqur Rahim (8) was taken out by Gerald Coetzee (3/62). Mehidy Hasan Miraz (11), sent in at No 7 in the ever-changing Bangladesh batting line-up, was removed by Keshav Maharaj (1/32).
There was no coming back from the hole Bangladesh had fallen into but Mahmudullah’s ton did help it reduce the defeat margin to a great extent.
Mahmudullah added 41 runs for the seventh wicket with Nasum Ahmed (19), 37 runs for the eighth wicket with Hasan Mahmud (15) and 68 runs for the ninth wicket with Mustafzur Rahman (11) to keep South Africa out on the park for as long as he could.
Earlier, de Kock’s magnificent 174 and a brutal 49-ball 90 from Heinrich Klaasen underlined South Africa’s batting prowess.
De Kock pumped 15 fours and seven sixes to not only record his third century in five innings, but his 140-ball knock which witnessed a fantastic late acceleration, also had the opener record the ninth highest individual score in the tournament’s history. Even though he was not required to do the heavy lifting after a stunning ton against England, a two-day break had Klaasen back at his best — cracking eight huge sixes and two fours — for his quickfire effort.
In his 150th ODI, de Kock flayed the Bangladesh bowlers in hot and humid conditions to bat almost through the end, but certainly missed an opportunity to become the first South African to record an ODI double ton.
BRIEF SCORES: South Africa 382/5 in 20 overs (Q de Kock 174, H Klaasen 90, A Markram 60) bt Bangladesh 233 in 46.4 overs (Mahmudullah 111, G Coetzee 3/62)
BANGLADESH’S HEAVIEST WC DEFEATS (BY RUNS)
By 206 runs vs SA, Mirpur, 2011
By 198 runs vs SL, Port of Spain, 2007
By 149 runs vs SA, Mumbai WS, 2023
By 137 runs vs ENG, Dharamsala, 2023
By 109 runs vs IND, Melbourne, 2015 QF