South Africa’s miserable start to the World Cup continued on Sunday after they were defeated by Bangladesh at the Kia Oval. Having lost the toss, Bangladesh were put into bat by South Africa, who lost their first game of the tournament to England, and openers Tamim Iqbal (16) and Soumya Sarkar (42) made a steady start before they fell victim to Andile Phehlukwayo and Chris Morris respectively.
With the scores at 75-2, Shakib Al Hasan (75) and Mushfiqur Rahim (78) showed real class at the crease to keep the South Asian outfit ticking along nicely to take their tally past the 200 mark. Mahmudullah’s brilliant unbeaten 46, along with supporting knocks from Mohammad Mithun (21) and Mosaddek Hossain (26), helped Bangladesh post a testing 330-6 from their allotted 50 overs – the country’s highest ODI total.
In response, South Africa were going along nicely before a huge mix-up between Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock resulted in the latter being run-out by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur for 23. Markram (45) and Faf du Plessis (62) helped steady the ship before they were both sent back to the pavilion by Shakib and Mehedi Hasan respectively, leaving the Proteas 147-3 off 26.3 overs.
With the game finely poised at this point, it was Bangladesh who grabbed the initiative, with Mustafizur Rahman dismissing David Miller (38) before Mohammad Saifuddin bowled Rassie van der Dussen (41). Saifuddin then removed Andile Phehlukwayo (8) before Mustafizur claimed the vital scalps of both Chris Morris and JP Duminy, leaving South Africa on 287-8 and requiring 44 runs to win from 2.5 overs.
No more wickets fell but Bangladesh managed to comfortably see out a 21-run victory for a great start to their World Cup campaign. As for the Proteas, they have now lost both of their matches and are in desperate need of a victory.
