After losing the first game against England by a huge score, du Plessis led South Africa was desperate to register their first win of the World Cup season against Bangladesh, but their hope was crushed by the Bangla Tigers when they played their way through an untamed victory adding more to South Africa’s worries. South Africa won the toss and opted to ball first, with an already downed team due to injury, but could not pull through a win against Bangladesh. To add more to their troubling plate, Lungi Ngidi, pacer of the Proteas also departed in the 4th over with a hamstring injury. Bangladesh put out a beautiful play, countering the short balls by South Africa and scored 330 runs with the loss of 6 wickets at the end of 50 overs, the biggest score by the Bangla Tigers in the World Cup format. At first, Soumya Sarkar (42 out; 30b; 9X4), and then, Shakib Al Hasan (75 out; 84b; 8X4, 1X6) and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim 78 out; 80b; 8X4) each contributed their part to put out a defendable target of 330 and at last, registering a huge win against a wounded South Africa on Sunday.
However, in the second innings, the Proteas were already fumbling with downed teammates and a pressure to earn the first victory added to their name. Amidst the brewing tension among the Proteas team, Keeper de Kock (23 run out; 32b; 4X4) was the first one to fall prey to Bangladesh’s attack as he gets run out. Captain Faf Du Plessis (62 out; 53b; 5X4, 1X6) was the only hope African’s were depending upon, but he too fell short after a strong start in the 27th over. South Africa was slowly reaching the target set by Bangladesh, but the Tigers were keeping the Proteas in check, as Captain Mustafizur Rahman scalped 3 precious wickets of David Miller (38 out; 43b; 2X4), Chris Morris (10 out; 10b; 1X4) and JP Duminy (45 out; 37b; 4X4) to put the South Africans to rest within the estimated 50 overs as the South African squad fell short by 21 runs and Bangladesh registered a big win in their first game. South Africa will look to change their losing streak in their next game against India on 5th June in Southampton, while Bangladesh will face the Kiwis with the aim to register their second victory on the same day at the Oval stadium once more.
