Bangladesh stun South Africa, Beat Proteas by 21 runs

Bhubaneswar: Bangladesh stunned South Africa by beating them by 21 runs in their first match in ICC World Cup being held at Kennington Oval in London on Sunday. This was a second straight defeat for the Proteas.

There was a time when Bangladesh was simply a punching bag for the rest of the playing teams in a World Cup and playing against them meant an easy win and scoring points. The minions seem to have turned into roaring tigers and ready to rewrite history for themselves.

Bangladesh lost Soumya Sarkar for a well-made 42 soon after before two of their greatest cricketers ever took centre stage. Shakib Al Hasan (75) and Mushfiqur Rahim (78) added 142 for the 3rd wicket and played a range of dazzling shots. Hasan was also adjudged as the Man of the Match.

Chasing 331, South Africa, who were without the experienced Hashim Amla, was banking heavily on Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis. But the target was a little too stiff for the Proteas.

Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram. Faf du Plessis, David Miller van der Dussen and JP Duminy got starts but they could not convert them into match-winning scores.

Pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin picked up five wickets between them as they struck in regular intervals to dent South Africa’s chase.

All in all, Bangladesh were emphatic with the bat and subtle with the ball, and they will be itching to get to take on New Zealand at the scene of today’s triumph on Wednesday. South Africa won’t want to think about the awful truth that they have to face India on Wednesday – a game that should come with an age restriction.

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