Quinton de Kock on Tuesday hit a brilliant 174, his third century of the Cricket World Cup, as South Africa hammered Bangladesh by 149 runs in Mumbai.
The Proteas were briefly in trouble at 36-2 after winning the toss, but rallied strongly, taking 144 runs off the last 10 overs to finish on 382-5 amid a barrage of boundaries.
It was a total Bangladesh never looked like chasing down as they collapsed to 58-5.
Photo: AFP
That they were eventually dismissed for 233 was largely due to Mahmudullah’s run-a-ball 111.
By the time the 37-year-old veteran completed just his fourth one-day international (ODI) century in 195 innings, the match had long since ceased to be a contest, with no other Bangladesh batsman making more than 22.
South Africa have won four of their opening five World Cup matches, with the only blot a shock loss to the Netherlands.
Bangladesh, by contrast, are struggling to qualify for the semi-finals following four defeats in five games and sit rock-bottom of the 10-team group.
An early double strike gave them brief hope of a fourth win in five ODIs against South Africa.
However, left-handed opener De Kock responded with a third hundred in five World Cup innings — after scores of 100 and 109 against Sri Lanka and Australia — as he continued his superb start to what the 30-year-old has said would be his last major one-day tournament.
Heinrich Klaasen followed up with a rapid 90 just days after his 109 in South Africa’s 229-run thrashing of reigning champions England at the Wankhede on Saturday.
“I am a bit more tired than satisfied,” said man-of-the-match De Kock. “Everyone did their part and it is nice to get another two points on the board.”
As for Klaasen, he added: “He has been amazing, I need some of the juice he is having. He has been really special this year and long may it carry on.”
A seven-strong Bangladesh attack, without the injured Taskin Ahmed, all suffered with pacemen Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam both conceding 76 runs from their nine-over spells.
Fit-again Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, appearing in his fifth World Cup, was not spared either during a return of 1-69 in nine overs.
“I thought we bowled well for the first 25 overs, got three wickets and they were going at five-an-over,” said Shakib. “Then they kicked on. I thought Quinton de Kock batted really well and the way Heinrich Klaasen finished it off, we didn’t have any answers to it.”
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