In a commanding display of their formidable batting prowess, South Africa secured a resounding 149-run victory over Bangladesh in Mumbai on Tuesday, October 24. The match witnessed remarkable centuries by Quinton de Kock and outstanding fifties from Heinrich Klaasen and stand-in skipper Aiden Markram, propelling South Africa to an imposing total. Bangladesh struggled to find their rhythm in the chase, mirroring the England-South Africa encounter, as the result was effectively determined long before the game’s official conclusion.
At the halfway point, the game was virtually decided, with South Africa’s pacers once again dismantling the opposition under the Wankhede Stadium’s lights. Bangladesh found themselves reeling at 42/4 within the first 12 overs. Although Mahmudullah’s heroic century reduced the margin of defeat, it still ranks as one of Bangladesh’s heaviest World Cup losses. South Africa’s fast bowlers proved too challenging for Bangladesh’s top order, which had shown vulnerability against the new ball in recent times. With the enormity of the target, a strong start in the PowerPlay was imperative, but Bangladesh struggled as wickets continued to fall regularly.
Under the Wankhede’s evening lights, the pitch quickened, and South Africa’s pacers excelled in the conditions, much like they did against England. Even the experienced Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim couldn’t stem the fall of wickets. With the score at 81/6, it became a matter of how many runs South Africa would win by, and Mahmudullah led the tail effectively to minimize the deficit, though it had little impact on Bangladesh’s cause. Mahmudullah started cautiously, but once he found his groove, he struck the ball cleanly across the ground. His only hiccup came after reaching fifty when Lizaad Williams dropped a catch at mid-off against Marco Jansen.
Mahmudullah received valuable support from the tail as he added another World Cup century to his record, offering the only bright spot in an otherwise forgettable game for Bangladesh. They had begun the afternoon well by taking early wickets of Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen, but South Africa’s formidable batting lineup proved that one strong partnership was all they needed to regain momentum. De Kock’s partnership with Markram, producing 131 runs, set the stage for the explosive finishers.
Although Markram started hesitantly, it didn’t take long for him to find his rhythm and contribute with his signature strokes through the off-side. His elegant strokeplay complemented de Kock’s aggressive style, and by the time Markram was dismissed, the platform was perfectly set for Klaasen. Those who doubted if Klaasen’s epic innings against England at the same venue had sated his appetite were in for a surprise. The 32-year-old continued to establish himself as one of the game’s most feared finishers, taking on the Bangladesh bowlers relentlessly, coming tantalizingly close to successive World Cup centuries.
South Africa’s onslaught during the final ten overs saw them amass 144 runs, a performance reminiscent of their previous game against England. After de Kock and Klaasen unleashed their full power during the slog overs, David Miller’s quick cameo further extended South Africa’s lead, making Bangladesh’s victory hopes seem increasingly distant. It would have taken a miracle for Shakib’s team to make a comeback from this situation, given their struggles at the top of the order.
Final Scores: South Africa 382/5 in 50 overs (Quinton de Kock 174, Heinrich Klaasen 90, Aiden Markram 60; Hasan Mahmud 2-67) defeated Bangladesh 233 in 46.4 overs (Mahmudullah 111; Gerald Coetzee 3-62, Marco Jansen 2-39, Kagiso Rabada 2-42) by a commanding margin of 149 runs.
- Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
