In another of those one-sided games in the 2023 World Cup, South Africa put on a commanding performance for the second time in a row. They posted a thumping 149-run victory over Bangladesh. The Asian nation could muster only 233 in reply to South Africa’s 382/5. Quinton de Kock (174 of 140 balls) and Heinrich Klaasen (90 off 49) were the main architects of the win.
South Africa’s victory was again built on the back of a set of aggressive batters powering the side to a gargantuan total. De Kock, who had a couple low scores after cracking successive tons, was back to his absolute best. The carnage began in the first over itself with De Kock smashing a cut. Although South Africa lost Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen in quick succession, Aiden Markram and De Kock stitched a game-changing stand of 131.
South Africa have now climbed to second place on the points table, while Bangladesh find themselves as the last-placed side. The only question mark surrounding South Africa perhaps is how they handle pressure while chasing down targets. On the other hand, Bangladesh need to do some soul-searching. They seem to lack the resources to compete in batting-friendly conditions.
In perfect conditions for batting, the Bangladesh pace bowlers largely bowled both sides of the wicket. The point can be further exemplified by the fact that the batting duo explored all corners of the ground —the drive, flick, loft, horizontal-bat shots and the reverse-sweep. It was only in the 31st over that Bangladesh were able to break the stand as Shakib Al Hasan, the skipper, removed Markram, with the batter skewing one to long-off.
Bangladesh soon ran into the Klaasen-storm. The Klaasen-De Kock duet left them gasping for breath. Shakib was clubbed for 22 in an over and the very next one bowled by Shorfiul Islam went for 17. By then, De Kock had completed his 150 as he surpassed Adam Gilchrist’s record of 149 for the highest score for a designated wicketkeeper in World Cup history. He soon fell to Hasan Mahmud.
With just under five overs to go, Klaasen hit top gear and found an able ally in the experienced David Miller (34 off 15). Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful’s brand of cutters, low full tosses and slot deliveries were dispatched for fours and sixes. Klaasen even looked on course to crack another quickfire hundred, but was dismissed by Hasan’s slower short ball in the final over.
After the first innings, when both sets of players walked back to the pavilion, one could see a few drooping shoulders in the Bangladesh camp. They began on a poor note, losing their first five wickets inside 15 overs. By the end of the 22nd over, Mehidy Hasan was walking back to the hut, with Bangladesh losing their sixth.
At 122 for 7, in the 29th over, another 200-plus run win for South Africa seemed on cards. Mahmudullah, the veteran, however, took Bangladesh to a respectable score with a run-a-ball 111. He put on a stand of 37 with Hasan but it was his 68-run alliance with Mustafizur that turned out to be an entertaining one. The highlight of that stand was Mahmudullah walking across his stumps and scooping Marco Jansen over the wicketkeeper’s head.
When Mahmudullah reached the landmark in the 45th over, he jumped in the air and celebrated the mark. The 37-year-old had made a comeback into the Bangladesh set-up only last month. Lizaad Williams completed the formalities by removing Mustafizur in the 47th over. Gerald Coetzee was the chief wicket-taker for South Africa with three scalps. All the other four bowlers also chipped in with wickets.