Proteas wilt again

South Africa were in a spot of bother at 275 for seven wickets chasing 331 for victory against Bangladesh in their second 2019 World Cup match at The Oval, London on Sunday.

In their innings, half-centuries from Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim launched Bangladesh to 330 for six in their 50 overs.

Bangladesh’s total was their highest against South Africa, their highest in a World Cup match and in all ODI’s that they have played. The Proteas had to do without the services of speedster Lungi Ngidi who limped off after bowling four overs with a hamstring strain.

But the morning belonged to the Tigers who cracked 37 boundaries and three maximums with Shakib and Mushfiqur sharing in a wonderful stand of 142 for the third wicket from 142 balls to set the tone of the innings. Shakib struck eight fours and a six in his 84-ball innings of 75 while Mushfiqur stroked eight boundaries from 80 deliveries before falling for 78.

South Africa, who left Hashim Amla out due to his concussion sustained against England in their opening match, drafted in David Miller and decided to employ the services of Chris Morris over that of Dwaine Pretorius and the decision by captain Faf du Plessis to bowl first after winning the toss seemed to backfire. Bangladesh mastered an opening stand of 60 between Tamim Iqbal (16) and Soumya Sarkar (42) with Soumya being the aggressor, striking nine fours from only 30 balls. But the introduction of Andile Phehlukwayo (10-1-52-2) brought about success with Phehlukwayo having Tamim edging behind to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps.

Soumya then tried to pull a short ball from Morris (10-0-732) only to have the ball come off the back of the glove and loop up to De Kock, who did brilliantly to run and dive forward to take the catch. The two quick successes were the last the Proteas were to taste for some 24 overs as Shakib and Mushfiqur took charge of the innings.

But Imran Tahir (10-0-57-2), playing in his 100th ODI, then dismissed Shakib, clean-bowling the veteran who tried to sweep the legspinner, who then bowled Mohammad Mithun (21) but not after striking two fours and a six from 21 balls.

Bangladesh seemed to lose their way somewhat as Mushfiqur was caught by Rassie van der Dussen on the deep squareleg boundary off Phehlukwayo but Mahmudullah and Mossadek Hossain (26) plundered 66 runs for the sixth wicket off only 44 balls to launch Bangladesh over the 300-run mark. Mahmudullah struck three fours and a six to end unbeaten on 46 from only 33 deliveries while Mohammad Hasan struck one four in three balls to end unbeaten on five as the pair struck 14 unbeaten runs off the final over. ● Scoreboard page 15. –