South Africa produced another ruthless performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 on Tuesday to register a crushing 149-run win over Bangladesh in Match 23 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The Proteas once again posted a score in excess of 300 and then bowled out the opposition for 233 to win their fourth game of the campaign and move up to second position in the points table after displacing New Zealand.
Quinny & Klaasen show at Wankhede
Opting to bat first in hot and humid conditions in Mumbai, the Proteas were propelled to 382 for 5 thanks to brilliant knocks from the in-form Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen.
De Kock smashed his third hundred of the tournament and 20th in ODI cricket to top-score with 174 runs off 140 balls with 15 fours and seven sixes.
QDK adjudged Player of the Match
"I am a bit more tired than satisfied (after a spectacular knock), I think we all played really well and everyone did their part and it was nice to get those two points on the board.
"I was a little nervous this morning, but it was a great day and I had a bit of fun and it's great to get another 2 points," de Kock said after being adjuched Player of the Match.
Klaasen misses out on a ton
Klaasen however, missed out on his century as he fell 10 runs short of the mark but provided enough fireworks once again with his 49-balls 90. Captain Aiden Markram also contributed handsomely with 60 runs.
De Kock and Markram added 131 for the third wicket before Klaasen joined the fun and stitched a 142-run partnership with the centurion. Klaasen and David Miller then provided the finishing touches with their 65-run stand to help the Proteas post their fourth 300-plus score in this edition.
Mahmudullah 111 in vain
Bangladesh in reply, could only manage to get to 233 before getting bowled out in 46.4 overs with Mahmudullah waging a lone battle with his run-a-ball 111. It was his third century in World Cups and fourth overall in ODIs.
Gerald Coetzee grabbed three wickets for South Africa while Marco Jansen, Lizaad Williams and Kagiso Rabada took a couple of scalps each. Keshav Maharaj also chipped in with a wicket. This was the fifth time in succession that all five South African bowled were among the wickets in this World Cup.
The Proteas will next face Pakistan which will be a must-win clash for Babar Azam & Co. on October 27 in Chennai while Bangladesh will take on the Netherlands at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on October 28.
