MUMBAI: A disciplined performance in all sections helped South Africa trounce Bangladesh by 149 runs in a group stage match of the World Cup 2023 in Mumbai yesterday. Proteas bundled out the Tigers for 233 runs as they were pursuing a mammoth target of 383 runs at Wankhede Stadium.

Mahmudullah Riyad played long ranger in tough chase as he smashed 111 runs as no other player could assist him. South African bowlers ran through the Bangladesh’s top order as they lost first two wickets in seventh over when Tanzid Hasan Tamim (12) Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) were dismissed by Marco Jansen. Shakib Al Hasan was removed for one run on second delivery of the eighth over. Mushfiqur Rahim was sent to pavilion for eight runs. Opener Litton Das made 22 off 44.

South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee took three wickets while Marco Jansen, Lizaad Williams and Kagiso Rabada two wickets each. Earlier, a spending hundred from Quinton de Kock guided the South Africa to set a mammoth target of 383 runs for Bangladesh. De Kock revived the South Africa innings after Proteas suffered early blows by losing key wicket of Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen. Kock got full support from Aiden Markram, who was removed for 60 by Shakib Al Hasan. Later, Heinrich Klaasen (90) and David Miller (34) maintained the momentum, helping their side to set a tough target for opponents.

Bangladesh are approaching must-win territory in their campaign, but face a tough test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai against South Africa today (Tuesday). South Africa lit up the Mumbai ground against England at the weekend, producing one of the biggest hammerings of the tournament so far. The Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan was missing last time out for his team and it showed, with both batting and bowling looking significantly underpowered without the classy all-rounder. A fit and firing Shakib is going to be vital if Bangladesh are to stand a chance of pulling off a string of upsets to make the semi-finals. But even in the short term, Shakib’s experience will be extremely useful against such an in-form opponent. On the other hand, fast starts were key to each of South Africa’s two opening wins, with the excellent Quinton de Kock laying the foundations for his team’s huge totals on both occasions. He didn’t fire against England for once, but his 84-ball century against Sri Lanka was classy enough on its own, never mind the platform it set for his team’s big-hitting middle order. And he was at it again against Australia with another ton, once again scored at better than a run-a-ball.

And for Bangladesh the test will be how they can limit a batting order that have blitzed three out of the four bowling attacks they’ve faced so far in India.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 25 2023

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