Bangladesh couldn’t have asked for a better start for their 2019 World Cup campaign. A fine 330 for six means South Africa will have to be on top of their game from the first ball if they are to record their first winning at this World Cup.
Bangladesh, who carry a reputation of being the giant killers in ICC tournaments, got off to a decent start with their openers — Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar posting an 80-run stand. It wasn’t until the ninth over that South Africa got their breakthrough when Andile Phehlukwayo dismissed Iqbal. Within 15 more runs (from 60 to 75), Bangladesh were down to two, and this is when Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim took the matter in to their own hands.
While both Iqbal and Sarkar struggled with South Africa’s short pitch approach, Rahim and Shakib read the danger to mere perfection. Capitalising from the front, the duo went on to post a whopping 142-run partnership. Shakib, on his part, showcased why he is still the best all-rounder in ODIs right now. Returning to the international cricket from his injury after five months to play a tri-series against West Indies and Ireland in May, the 32-year-old smashed the South African bowlers inside out.
Unlike Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who struggled with the bat earlier in the tournament, the Bangla Tigers read the bowlers to perfection and reacted to the new ball in style.
As far as South Africa were concerned, the Proteas displayed an abysmal show on the field. The likes of Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada were dreadful, giving away needless boundaries on several occasion.
Their marksman, Imran Tahir, who was playing his 100th ODI, stood out alongside Phehlukwayo, taking two important wickets.
Meanwhile, after the top order was done with their artistry, Mahmudullah (46) and Mosaddek Hossain (26 off 20 deliveries) took Bangladesh beyond 300 and beyond their previous best against South Africa (278/7) against South Africa by playing an impressive 66-run stand.
Posting 330/6 by the end, Bangladesh have now registered their best ever ODI total surpassing their previous best of 329 against Pakistan in 2015.
