South Africa records huge win over Bangladesh

South Africa continued their remarkable form with another bruising win at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, with Quinton de Kock’s brilliant century inspiring a 149-run win.

Victory sends South Africa second in the table with four wins to their name and comfortably the best net run rate out of all ten teams in the tournament, while Bangladesh slip below England to the foot of the standings.
A 20th ODI hundred from De Kock and some brutal late hitting from Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller guided South Africa to their huge first-innings total of 382/5 at the Wankhede Stadium.

And Bangladesh’s reply only got going when the game was already done, as they slumped to an enormous defeat in Mumbai despite Mahmudullah’s defiant and excellent run-a-ball 111.

The brilliant De Kock steadied South Africa’s innings alongside Aiden Markram after the loss of two wickets in the opening powerplay.

And the opener launched off the platform he had helped build, smashing 22 boundaries in his inspired 174 from 140 balls.

The departure of De Kock in the 46th over did little to halt the assault, with Klaasen and David Miller exploding at the death to push South Africa to another huge score.

Klaasen fell narrowly short of his century, departing for 90 from 49 balls, while Miller finished with 34 from just 15 deliveries.

South Africa, led by Aiden Markram again in the absence of Temba Bavuma, won the toss and chose to bat first.

The good news for Bangladesh was the return of their skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, who replaced Towhid Hridoy in the playing XI. Shakib added that he didn't mind bowling first, embracing the opportunity to attempt to restrict the opponents to a reasonable total.

The South Africa openers started positively, although they were assisted by a dropped chance in the second over. Positioned at the first slip position, Tanzid Hasan dropped a nick from Reeza Hendricks, whose cut shot had gone straight to the fielder. Even though the pitch seemed to have some help for the bowlers, South Africa looked to continue in the usual aggressive fashion that has served them well through the tournament.

However, Bangladesh struck twice in the first Powerplay to rock the Proteas effort. Shoriful Islam bowled an incisive delivery that beat the defences of Reeza Hendricks and rattled his stumps.