Bangladesh stun South Africa

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim in action

BBCSPORT: Bangladesh stunned South Africa to start their World Cup campaign with a fine 21-run victory at The Oval yesterday. 

Bangladesh made 331-6 - their highest one-day total - with Mushfiqur Rahim scoring 78 and Shakib Al Hasan 75 in front of a passionate crowd strongly in their favour.

The pair put on 142 for the third wicket and, although both fell in the final 15 overs, Mahmudullah helped power his side to the highest total of the tournament with an unbeaten 46 off 33 balls.

South Africa, who were sloppy in the field, lost crucial wickets as they rarely threatened to complete the highest World Cup chase in history. Opener Quinton de Kock fell to a shambolic run-out early on, captain Faf du Plessis was bowled for 62 and Rassie van der Dussen was dismissed in the 40th over for 41.

The Proteas still had slim hope with three overs left, JP Duminy at the crease and 44 runs needed - but he played on off Mustafizur Rahman to depart for 45.

The defeat means South Africa have lost their opening two matches at the World Cup, having been beaten by England in the opener on Thursday.

Bangladesh impress in winning start

Bangladesh are a much-improved team in recent years - they won a tri-series against West Indies and Ireland before this tournament and have series wins over India and Pakistan since the last World Cup - but this result still saw the side ranked seventh in the world beat the one ranked third.

Bangladesh were given a solid start by Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar, who shared a stand of 60, but experienced pair of Shakib and Mushfiqur rebuilt excellently after both openers fell.

They rotated the strike and hit the frequent bad balls from South Africa’s bowlers for boundaries, batting close to a run a ball to build an imposing total.

It looked like Bangladesh would let a good position slip when Mushfiqur departed soon after Shakib, but Mahmudullah’s late hitting, which included three fours and a six, and support from Mosaddek Hossain, who made 26, regained momentum as 54 runs came from the last four overs.

With the ball, Bangladesh were more disciplined than the Proteas with their spinners economical on a used pitch.

Shakib bowled South Africa opener Aiden Markram for 45 and Mehedi Hasan bowled Du Plessis as both squeezed the scoring rate. Seamers Mohammad Saifuddin and Mustafizur Rahman returned later in the innings, taking two and three wickets respectively, with the former bowling a wicket maiden in the 40th over, including the scalp of the well-set Van der Dussen.

They bowled well to the lower order to close out the win and move to fifth in the table.

They play New Zealand in a day-night game on Wednesday, again at The Oval.