De Kock, Amla tons guide Proteas to 10-wicket win
KIMBERLEY: Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla shared a record partnership as South Africa cruised to a “ruthless” ten-wicket win in the first one-day international against Bangladesh at the Diamond Oval on Sunday. De Kock (168 not out) and Amla (110 not out) put on an unbeaten 282 to overhaul Bangladesh’s 278 for seven with 7.1 overs to spare.
The South African openers overshadowed Mushfiqur Rahim, whose 110 not out was the first century by a Bangladesh batsman against South Africa in any international match. Bangladesh’s total was their highest in ODIs against South Africa.
Mushfiqur’s innings came with a price. He appeared to suffer a hamstring injury and he watched the De Kock-Amla partnership from the players’ balcony, adding to injuries which kept two other key players, Tamim Iqbal (thigh) and Mustafizur Rahman (ankle) out of the match.
“We have to keep fighting,” said Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza about the injuries. “These things happen in cricket. You can’t blame anything.”
Mashrafe said that although Bangladesh had posted a good total, “we knew we had to take wickets. If you can stop the runs at both ends the pressure will bring wickets. But we couldn’t apply pressure.”
De Kock made his runs off 145 balls with 21 fours and two sixes. Amla had less of the strike, facing 112 balls and hitting eight fours.
Their partnership was the highest for any wicket for South Africa and the joint sixth highest in all one-day internationals.
Brief scores: South Africa 282/0 (Q de Kock 168 n.o, H Amla 110 n.o) beat Bangladesh 278/7 (Mushfiqur Rahim 110, K Rabada 4/43) by 10 wickets.