World Cup: South Africa beat Bangladesh despite Mahmudullah threat
South Africa beat Bangladesh in match number 23 of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in Mumbai. The Proteas successfully defended 382/5, with Mahmudullah scoring a fighting century. Bangladesh were bowled out for 233. Earlier, power-packed knocks from Quinton de Kock (174), Heinrich Klaasen (90), and Aiden Markram (60) bolstered SA. De Kock slammed a record-breaking third century in the ongoing tournament.
A look at the match summary
SA were in a spot of bother (36/2) after electing to bat. However, de Kock and Aiden Markram propelled the Proteas past 150. Although the latter departed at 167, Klaasen and David Miller (34*) fired in the last 10 overs, driving SA to 382/5. Bangladesh had a similar start, but Mahmudullah took them past 200. They lost by 149 runs despite Mahmudullah's ton.
A record-breaking knock from De Kock
De Kock yet again gave South Africa a solid start after they elected to bat. Although the Proteas lost two quick wickets, he shared a century stand with skipper Markam. The former went on to smash 174 off 140 balls, a knock laced with 15 fours and 7 sixes. This is now the second-highest individual WC score for SA after Gary Kirsten (188*).
Three tons in WC 2023
De Kock has become the only South African batter with more than two centuries in a World Cup edition. The star batter smacked back-to-back centuries in South Africa's opening two encounters (100 against Sri Lanka in Delhi and 109 against Australia in Lucknow). Former SA batter AB de Villiers smashed two centuries in the 2011 edition.
Second-most WC tons for SA
De Kock now has the second-most centuries for South Africa in ODI World Cups. He broke a tie with Herschelle Gibbs (2), Hashim Amla (2), and Faf du Plessis. Only de Villiers (4) is ahead of de Kock.
Fourth SA batter with 20 ODI tons
This was de Kock's 20th century in ODI cricket. He is only the fourth South African to have slammed 20 or more tons in the format. De Kock is behind Amla (27), de Villiers (25), and Gibbs (21) in this regard. De Kock, playing his 150th ODI, also has 30 half-centuries in the format. He has raced past 6,500 ODI runs.
Highest individual WC score by a designated wicket-keeper
It is worth noting that de Kock now has the highest individual score by a designated wicket-keeper in World Cup history. He overtook Australian legend Adam Gilchrist, who smashed 149 against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup final.
Markram's third 50+ score in WCs
Markram came to the middle after South Africa lost two wickets (36/2) in the form of Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen. Markram kept the Proteas afloat along with de Kock. The duo didn't let the scoring rate drop and attacked the Bangladesh bowlers. The former smashed a 69-ball 60 (7 fours). It was his ninth half-century in ODI cricket.
Wankhede witnessed the Klaasen show
The departure of skipper Markram at 167/3 exposed Klaasen in the middle. The latter was patient in his first few deliveries before showcasing his onslaught. Klaasen smashed as many as 8 sixes and just 2 fours in his electrifying knock. He smashed 90 off 49 balls, recording his sixth half-century in ODI cricket. It was his second 50+ score of the ongoing tournament.
Joint second-most sixes in WC innings for SA
As mentioned, Klaasen smashed 8 sixes, now the joint second-most in a World Cup innings for South Africa. He shares the second spot with de Villiers, who hammered 8 maximums against West Indies in 2015 in Sydney. Miller tops this list, having smashed nine maximums against Zimbabwe in 2015 in Hamilton. Notably, de Kock slammed 7 sixes in his 140-ball 174 against Bangladesh.
SA script these records
According to Cricbuzz, South Africa now have the joint-most 350-plus totals in ODI World Cups (8). They surpassed Australia, who own seven such scores. Notably, the Proteas are also the first side to post three 350-plus scores in a single World Cup edition. SA slammed a total of 19 sixes against Bangladesh, the joint second-most in a team innings in ODI World Cups.
SA's love affair with Wankhede
South Africa registered 350+ totals in each of their last three ODIs at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. In 2015, SA scored 438/4 against India and won by 214 runs. In their last match, SA scored 399/7 runs against England and won by 229 runs.
A fighting knock from Mahmudullah
Mahmudullah remained Bangladesh's lone warrior as they were reduced to 81/6 while chasing a mammoth 383. He defied the odds and held one end while losing partners from the other. Mahmudullah somehow dragged SA to 150 and then took them past 220 along with Mustafizur Rahman. The result was a mere formality, but Mahmudullah's run-a-ball 111 (11 fours and 4 sixes) made headlines.
First Bangladesh batter with three World Cup tons
Mahmudullah has slammed his third century in ODI World Cups. He has become the first Bangladesh batter to have scored more than two World Cup tons. He broke a tie with star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who owns two tons in the tournament. Notably, Mushfiqur Rahim is the only other Bangladesh batter with a World Cup century.
