World Cup, Bangladesh vs South Africa – as it happened: Mortaza and Co register epic victory
Bangladesh defeated an under-fire Proteas side by 21 runs at the Oval.
Catch the live updates of the fifth match of the World Cup, where Bangladesh face South Africa at The Oval.
Mashrafe Mortaza: Soumya set the tone of the us. Shakib and Mushfiqur played the we know them – with a high strike rate. Thank all the Bangladeshi fans for turning up in large numbers. I knew it was a good wicket to bat on and we knew that to bowl in the right areas to get wickets. The spinners bowled really well and then set it up for Fizz and Saifuddin.
Faf du Plessis: Not ideal. Lungi Ngidi getting injured was a big blow. Looking back at my decision, I would have opted to bat first. We conceded an over-par score.
Shakib Al Hasan, Player of the Match: I have played in four World Cups and this is the tournament I feel we can achieve something. We needed to build a partnership at that stage and both of us [Mushfiqur] made important contributions. This is the start we wanted. New Zealand are a very good side and we have to be ready.
BANGLADESH WIN BY 21 RUNS
What a win for the Tigers, who roared from the time they were put into bat. Mustafizur and Shakib led the way with the bat and the spinners chocked the life of out the Proteas. The South Africans have plenty to ponder. Their next opponents are India. Ngidi might night not feature in that game and can only hope the returning Dale Steyn comes good.
South Africa 298/8 in 49 Overs | Rabada 6, Tahir 6
Couple of misfields from Bangladesh as the tail-enders take the match to the last over. It’s a matter of six deliveries. South Africa need 33 from the last over.
WICKET! South Africa 287/8 in 47.1 Overs
Is that the match. Peach of a delivery from Mustafizur and Duminy can’t get his bat down on time. Bowled him. The Bangladesh fans sense a famous victory.
JP Duminy b Mustafizur 45 (37)
South Africa 287/7 in 47 Overs | Duminy 45, Rabada 1
A couple of hits to the fence and Duminy’s innings finally gets some momentum. Yorker length deliveries from Saifuddin and he carves one on the leg and through covers. This, though, won’t cut it.
WICKET! South Africa 275/7 in 45.5 Overs
Full toss and Morris hits the ball straight to deep mid-wicket. The South African batsmen wear a resigned look. The match is slowly but surely slipping away from them.
C Morris c Sarkar b Mustafizur 10 (10)
South Africa 268/6 in 45 Overs | Duminy 31, Morris 6
No boundaries yet again. Saifuddin was getting some reverse during the over. A couple of his yorkers weren’t executed well but the batsmen had to make do with singles and doubles. 63 from 30 balls.
South Africa 259/6 in 44 Overs | Duminy 25, Morris 3
The Bangladesh crowd are cheering singles now. It’s not going to hurt them one bit. Shakib was darting them in and once again, there were no boundaries. Just seven from the over. SA need 71 from the last six overs.
WICKET! South Africa 252/6 in 42.5 Overs
Phehlukwayo also departs. A juicy full-toss from Saifuddin was hit straight to Shakib Al Hasan at cover. The veteran takes a smart catch. South Africa’s implosion continues.
A Phehlukwayo c Shakib Al Hasan b Saifuddin 8 (13)
South Africa 244/5 in 42 Overs | Duminy 17, Phehlukwayo 7
These six-run overs are not going to cut it, South Africa. Another gem from Shakib, who has been all over his opponents all evening. Duminy gets a boundary from the over, putting away a bad ball down the leg stump.
South Africa 238/5 in 41 Overs | Duminy 12, Phehlukwayo 6
Phehlukwayo gets a boundary but South Africa need a lot more than that now. They need 93 from 54 balls. Duminy needs to break loose or the contest will slip away from the Proteas.
South Africa 228/5 in 39 Overs | Duminy 8, Phehlukwayo 0
Would you believe it? It’s a wicket maiden. Phehlukwayo couldn’t pierce the infield and all the deliveries were pitched up and on off-stump.
WICKET! South Africa 228/5 in 38.1 Overs
Shaifuddin strikes and another big wicket goes. Van der Dussen moved towards the off-stump and tried to carve it over long on but the cross-seam delivery does the trick for the medium-pacer.
R Van der Dussen b Shaifuddin 41 (38)
South Africa 223/4 in 38 Overs | Van der Dussen 39, Duminy 5
SIX and a four and South Africa have the a much-needed big over, fifteen from it. Van der Dussen finally gets his timing spot on. He carves Mustafizur over long on for a maximum and then cuts the ball through covers for a four.
South Africa 208/4 in 37.1 Overs | Van der Dussen 26, Duminy 3
REVIEW – Duminy survives! Mustafizur rapped the left-hander on the pads and the umpire raised his finger. The South Africans took the review and Duminy survives. Replays showed the ball going just over the stumps.
South Africa 208/4 in 37 Overs | Van der Dussen 26, Duminy 3
Another superb over from Mehidy Hasan, just thee from it. Duminy was using his feet but the off-spinner was following him and pitching it on the full. Where is the intent, South Africa?
South Africa 205/4 in 36 Overs | Van der Dussen 25, Duminy 2
The cutters are back and Van der Dussen nearly chips the ball to cover. This was after the right-hander nearly ran himself out after a mix-up with Duminy. The Bangladesh fans make themselves heard. Another fine over from Mustafizur.
WICKET! South Africa 202/4 in 35.1 Overs
Leading edge and it’s a simple catch to Hasan at point. Another soft dismissal for South Africa. The wicket couldn’t have come at a better time for Bangladesh. Mustafizur strikes with the one angling back into the left-hander.
D Miller c M Hasan b Mustafizur 38 (43)
South Africa 201/3 in 35 Overs | Miller 38, Van der Dussen 23
South Africa get to 200 but the required rate is climbing towards nine an-over. Miller realises that now and frees his arms and gets a boundary. Poor delivery from Shaifuddin, drifting it down the leg stump.
South Africa 192/3 in 33 Overs | Miller 31, Van der Dussen 22
Mosaddek nearly had the wicket of Van der Dussen. The right-hander made room outside off stump. The ball went over the middle stump and went to the boundary for four byes. Decent couple of overs for South Africa.
South Africa 183/3 in 32 Overs | Miller 25, Van der Dussen 19
Miller sweeps behind square and the ball races away to the fence. A rare lose delivery from Mehidy Hasan and the left-hander gets his first boundary.
South Africa 169/3 in 30 Overs | Miller 19, Van der Dussen 15
DROPPED! It was a tad difficult but not impossible. Miller chipped it in the air and the fielder leaped well but couldn’t collect the ball. He gets a life. In the last ball of the over, Van der Dussen also nearly holded out after mistiming a slog. Luckily, for the South Africans, the ball fell in the vacant areas.
South Africa 157/3 in 29 Overs | Van der Dussen 7, Miller 15
Mehidy Hasan bowls another economical over. He squeezes out more dot balls and gives away just three runs. The pressure continues to pile on. The captaincy from Mashrafe has been impressive.
WICKET! South Africa 147/3 in 26.3 Overs
Big wicket for Mashrafe’s side and Du Plessis’s vigil comes to an end. The skipper stepped out and was beaten through the gate by Hasan. It was a smart move to bring the off-spinner back. Trouble brewing for South Africa.
F Du Plessis b M Hasan 62 (53)
South Africa 135/2 in 25 Overs | Du Plessis 53, Miller 9
Du Plessis reaches his fifty with a classy straight six. The ball lands in front of the sightscreen and the camera person there plucks a brilliant catch, one handed as he had his equipment in the other. He ends the over with another slog, which gives him two runs.
South Africa 124/2 in 24 Overs | Du Plessis 44, Miller 7
More economical overs for Bangladesh. Just 19 from the last four overs. Where are the boundaries? When are the batsmen going to cut loose?
South Africa 115/2 in 22 Overs | Du Plessis 38, Miller 4
Spin continues to put the brakes on the scoring. Miller, promoted to up the ante, is cautious as well. They need a quick-fire cameo from the left-hander. Shakib is in the middle of a gem of a spell.
South Africa 105/2 in 20 Overs
WICKET! It’s an arm ball from Shakib and Markram is beaten all end’s up. He is bowled through the gate and his laboured knock comes to an end. The Bangladesh talisman can’t do no wrong today.
A Markram b Shakib 45 (56)
South Africa 97/1 in 18 Overs | Markram 42, Du Plessis 32
The skipper is leading by example. Yet again, he plays an exquisite cover drive, this time of Shaifuddin to get another boundary on the board. The innings finally has some momentum.
South Africa 85/1 in 16 Overs | Markram 38, Du Plessis 24
Du Plessis hit back-to-back boundaries. Width on offer from Mortaza and the South African captain frees his arms, threading it through the off side. Much needed given how the bowlers were applying pressure.
South Africa 70/1 in 15 Overs | Markram 35, Du Plessis 11
Another half-chance offered to the Bangladesh fielders. Du Plessis could have holed out at mid-wicket but fortunately for him, the ball went just wide and into the boundary. Mashrafe was the bowler and he, like the rest of him, is off to an encouraging start.
South Africa 61/1 in 13 Overs | Markram 33, Du Plessis 5
The Proteas keep meandering along as the boundaries continue to be hard work for Du Plessis and Markram. The required rate continues to creep up. Terrific work from Shakib so far.
South Africa 52/1 in 11 Overs | Markram 28, Du Plessis 1
Excellent start for Shakib Al Hasan. There has been no freebies on offer for the South Africans and the required rate is steadily climbing up. Spin, one suspects will play a very key role in proceedings.
WICKET! South Africa 49/1 in 9.3 Overs
Terrible mix-up between Markram and De Kock. The ball got a thick edge but Mushfiqur dropped it. The batsmen considered taking a run as the ball rolled away from the keeper and De Kock was caught in no-man’s land. The wicketkeeper made no mistake with his throw.
Q De Kock Run out 23 (32)
South Africa 48/0 in 9 Overs | De Kock 23, Markram 25
Once again, gorgeous transfer of weight on the shot from Markram, who gets another boundary. De Kock gets another lucky boundary. The ball, this time, takes the top edge and flies over point. A wicket might just be around the corner for the Proteas.
Shaifuddin comes into the attack for Bangladesh
South Africa 35/0 in 7 Overs | De Kock 17, Markram 18
The Proteas are living dangerously. Markram was not even in the frame when the throw came in from mid off. The opener got a boundary after edging it to third man. There were no slips in place.
South Africa 27/0 in 5 Overs | De Kock 14, Markram 13
Markram on the move, two boundaries from the over. Mustafizur went around the wicket and tried to pitch it up but the South African opener was quick of his back-foot. He drove and flicked the ball to the fence.
South Africa 19/0 in 4 Overs | De Kock 14, Markram 5
De Kock gets his third boundary of the over but these overs are not going to hurt Bangladesh. Once again, just four from it. Bangladesh bowlers have a plan and they have been disciplined so far. South Africa need atleast a couple of big overs in the powerplay.
South Africa 15/0 in 3 Overs | De Kock 10, Markram 5
Top stuff from Mustafizur. Nerves on display for Markram as there is no width on offer and he plays out five dot balls. He drives on the up in the last ball of the over to get a couple.
South Africa 13/0 in 2 Overs | De Kock 10, Markram 3
Mehidy Hasan’s spin comes into play. De Kock gets a thick edge but the ball beats the chase of the third man fielder to run into the fence.
South Africa 4/0 in 1 Over | De Kock 4, Markram 0
Just a boundary of the first over. De Kock dabbed the ball over the point fielder and the outfield did the rest. Decent line from Mustafizur to start proceedings. There was no width on offer for the South African opener.
We are back. Mustafizur has the ball in his hand. Quinton de Kock has the ball in his hand.
BANGLADESH FINISH AT 330/6
Lovely final flourish from the Bangladeshis. Mahmudullah’s pick-up shot over mid-wicket against Rabada was a thing of beauty. It went for a six. Mehidy Hasan also got a boundary. This is Bangladesh’s highest-ever ODI score.
Bangladesh 316/6 in 49 Overs
South Africa have a wicket but there are no celebrations. The damage is done. It was another expensive over from Morris, 14 from it. Mosaddek played an important hand here. Can Mahmudullah take his side over 330?
Mosaddek Hossain c Phehlukwayo b Morris 26(20)
Bangladesh 302/5 in 48 Overs | Mahmudullah 24, Mosaddek 26
Wides, misfields, overthrows – South Africa’s ordeal continues. As we have mentioned before, this has been one of the worst displays from the Proteas. Bangladesh also get past the 300-run mark, it’s their highest against today’s opponents.
Bangladesh 291/5 in 47 Overs | Mahmudullah 18, Mosaddek 23
Dropped! Rabada’s nightmare continues. Facing the crowd at deep square, he drops a sitter and the ball rolls away into the boundary. Meanwhile, the over ends with two boundaries. Mosaddek pulls one to the long-on fence and follows that up with crunching drive through the cover region from a full-length delivery.
Bangladesh 271/5 in 45 Overs | Mahmudullah 10, Mosaddek 11
Back-to-back boundaries for Mosaddek towards the end of the over. Phehlukwayo is short and gets the treatment – four past mid-on and towards fine leg.
Bangladesh 260/5 in 44 Overs | Mahmudullah 8, Mosaddek 2
Big appeal from Tahir in the final ball of his spell but umpire Paul Reiffel once again turns it down. Yet again, it was drifting down leg. The leggie was not exceptional but took two crucial wickets.
WICKET! Bangladesh 250/5 in 42.1 Overs
What a crucial breakthrough for Du Plessis. Phehlukwayo sets up the wicket nicely. It was short and Mushfiqur flat-batted it straight to the fielder at third man. Lovely innings from the former skipper
M Rahim c Van der Dussen b Phehlukwayo 78 (80)
Bangladesh 250/4 in 42 Overs | Mushfiqur 78, Mahmudullah 4
Good over from Tahir as well. There was a big leg-before shout against Mamudullah after the batsman didn’t pick up the googly. The ball was drifting down leg. South Africa had wasted their review earlier.
Bangladesh 245/4 in 41 Overs | Mushfiqur 76, Mahmudullah 1
Fine comeback over from Morris. This time, the medium pacer is spot on with his shorter length and Mahmudullah is caught at the crease. Just one from the over.
WICKET! Bangladesh 242/4 in 39.4 Overs
And...Tahir goes on his celebratory run. Mithun’s cameo comes to an end. He played on and the leg-spinner has his second wicket.
Mohammad Mithun b Tahir 21(21)
Bangladesh 235/3 in 38 Overs | Mushfiqur 72, Mithun 15
Six and a four. The boundaries keep on coming and Mithun lays into Markram. He slog sweeps him over deep square and thumps the ball straight down the ground. 12 from the over.
Bangladesh 223/3 in 37 Overs | Mushfiqur 71, Mithun 5
Finally, Rabada comes up with an over that has the batsmen in a spot of bother. He, however, has just two more overs left. It will be interesting to see how Du Plessis rotates his bowlers at this stage, especially with Ngidi injured.
WICKET! Bangladesh 217/3 in 35.1 Overs
At last, there is some respite for Bangladesh. Shakib goes for a sweep and it was the wrong line for it. He is cleaned up but he has played a gem. This is the highest partnerships for Bangladesh in World Cups.
Shakib Al Hasan b Tahir 75 (84)
Bangladesh 217/2 in 35 Overs | Shakib 75, Mushfiqur 71
South Africa lose a review! That was a Rabada is still not looking anywhere close to threatening. With the field spread out, the batsmen are pinching singles with ease now. Nothing going their way.
UPDATE: Lungi Ngidi will not bowl again today. He had left the field after the seventh over with hamstring trouble. More trouble for South Africa.
Bangladesh 200/2 in 32 Overs | Shakib 65, Mushfiqur 64
More boundaries and this time, Imran Tahir gets the treatment. It was a low full toss and deserved to be put away. Bangladesh should aim for 330 from here.
Bangladesh 194/2 in 31 Overs | Shakib 60, Mushfiqur 63
More boundaries and Mushfiqur has now overtaken his batting partner. He has found the gaps like a surgeon. Phehlukwayo is impressive yet again, and has looking like the only bowler who could cause some damage today.
Bangladesh 182/2 in 29 Overs | Shakib 57, Mushfiqur 54
Mushfiqur also reaches his half-century. He cleverly dabs the ball over point and into the vacant region to get to the landmark. Proteas’ ordeal continues. It’s alarming how quickly the boundaries are flowing for Bangladeshis. 300 is certainly on the cards.
Bangladesh 177/2 in 28 Overs | Shakib 57, Mushfiqur 49
That’s the century partnership between Shakib and Mushfiqur. Still no sign of a wicket for South Africa and Morris is going astray with his rhythm. Mushfiqur is also closing in on a half-century. This has been immense from the two senior Bangladesh pros.
Bangladesh 166/2 in 26 Overs | Shakib 50, Mushfiqur 46
Shakib brings up his fifty with a hook shot. The top edge takes the ball over De Kock and the ball goes to the fence. The partnership continues to go strong.
Bangladesh 160/2 in 25 Overs | Shakib 45, Mushfiqur 45
Du Plessis gets Duminy on and more boundaries for Bangladesh. Pitched full and wide, Mushfiqur caresses the ball through the off-side, first through cover and then extra cover. Danger for South Africa and they need a wicket.
Bangladesh 145/2 in 23 Overs | Shakib 43, Mushfiqur 32
Du Plessis continues to persist with Markram and the runs continue to flow. This time, Mushfiqur mistimes it after stepping down the track. Nonetheless, the ball pierces the off-side field and goes to the boundary.
Bangladesh 137/2 in 22 Overs | Shakib 41, Mushfiqur 26
More frustration for South Africa. Shakib is beaten in the googly from Tahir but the ball beats Du Plessis at first slip and runs away to the boundary. South Africa continue to look sloppy. The two senior batsmen have put up a gem of a partnership so far.
Bangladesh 124/2 in 20 Overs | Shakib 34, Mushfiqur 20
And...we witness one of the misfields of the tournament, certainly. Morris can’t collect it short-fine and the ball trickles away to the fence. Almost everything going wrong for South Africa from the start.
Bangladesh 117/2 in 19 Overs | Shakib 33, Mushfiqur 15
Shakib continues to look strong and is keeping the scoreboard ticking. Tahir finally comes on immediately, the batsmen show him respect.
Bangladesh 107/2 in 17 Overs | Shakib 27, Mushfiqur 11
Bizarre from Du Plessis to bring on Markram. Shakib is at ease and cuts one behind point for a boundary. Another productive over for Bangladesh, seven off it.
Bangladesh 100/2 in 16 Overs | Shakib 21, Mushfiqur 10
Shakib hits the first six of the match. The former captain controls his pull shot and it just goes over the fence. 100-up for Bangladesh. Twelve runs from the over.
Bangladesh 88/2 in 15 Overs | Shakib 11, Mushfiqur 8
South Africa have put the brakes on the scoring and Phehlukwayo and Morris are not giving any freebies on offer. Three from the 15th over and drinks are called.
Bangladesh 83/2 in 13 Overs | Shakib 8, Mushfiqur 6
Mushfiqur off the mark with a cracking cut shot over the point fielder for a four. Just four from the Phehlukwayo over. This partnership is crucial for the Tigers.
WICKET! Bangladesh 75/2 in 11.4 Overs
Chris Morris also strikes in his first over. Sarkar is early on the pull shot and gloves it. QDK dives forward and takes a very good catch. Important breakthrough this for South Africa. Sarkar played a little gem.
S Sarkar c De Kock b Morris 42 (30)
Bangladesh 73/1 in 11 Overs | Sarkar 41, Shakib 5
Review taken by South Africa. Despite the decision not being overturned, they retain the review as the ball was clipping the stumps. The line was with the umpire. There is no stopping the exquisite Sarkar, who continues to punish anything full or short outside off.
Bangladesh 60/1 in 10 Overs | Sarkar 35, Shakib 4
Rabada continues to persist from around the wicket. He nearly finds Shakib’s edge but gets a boundary behind square to get off the mark. It’s not been Rabada’s day so far.
Bangladesh 60/1 in 9 Overs | Sarkar 35, Shakib 0
Shakib comes to the crease at no 3. He is watchful as Phehlukwayo is get some nip off the wicket. Can South Africa get another breakthrough?
WICKET! Bangladesh 60/1 in 8.2 Overs
Edged and taken. The change works for Du Plessis. Iqbal fends at it and De Kock makes no mistake. Phehlukwayo strikes.
T Iqbal c De Kock b Phehlukwayo 16(29)
Phehlukwayo is brought on.
Bangladesh 58/0 in 8 Overs | Iqbal 16, Sarkar 35
South Africa cannot stop this boundary barrage and Bangladesh are flying. Sarkar plays a lovely late cut off Rabada and then follows that up with a gorgeous cover drive. Eight from the over. The bowlers are not able to direct the short or the fuller deliveries well.
Bangladesh 50/0 in 7 Overs | Iqbal 16, Sarkar 27
Bangladesh reach their fifty and there is frustration for the Proteas. Ngidi throws the ball at Iqbal after collecting it. The senior opener pulls the next ball to the boundary, the third of the over. Sarkar, meanwhile, once again is a picture of grace and timing, driving straight back past the bowler for a boundary. Another edge flies past the slip cordon for a four. Nothing going South Africa’s way.
Bangladesh 37/0 in 6 Overs | Iqbal 12, Sarkar 18
Bangladesh are up for the challenge. Slightly short of a length and Iqbal carves it away for another boundary. This was after Rabada conceded four wides while trying a bouncer. He gets it right in the last ball of the over, though. Iqbal could only fend at it and it nearly bobbed up comfortably for QDK.
Bangladesh 28/0 in 5 Overs | Iqbal 8, Sarkar 18
Back-to-back boundaries for Sarkar. He is terrific with the pull and he latches onto Ngidi in a flash. The over ends with the pacer drawing an edge but the ball threads the gap between first and second slip and runs away to the boundary. Three boundaries from the over.
Bangladesh 14/0 in 4 Overs | Iqbal 7, Sarkar 5
The Tigers are trying to get runs off anything on the full. Here again, Rabada is cranking up pace but doesn’t get the ball to come back in this time. Five from the over.
In case you missed it, Imran Tahir is playing his 100th ODI. There was a felicitation ceremony before the match.
Bangladesh 9/0 in 3 Overs | Iqbal 4, Sarkar 4
Ngidi is taking his time settling into rhythm. Iqbal drives a full delivery through the covers for a couple. The pacer makes a good comeback, getting a better angle on the fuller one and beats the batsman outside off.
Bangladesh 7/0 in 2 Overs | Iqbal 2, Sarkar 4
You have the one that comes back into the left-hander and a vicious short delivery – Rabada is off to a flying start after straying down the leg side in the second ball of the over. Iqbal keeps strike by running the ball to third man and completing a single.
Bangladesh 5/0 in 1 Over | Iqbal 1, Sarkar 4
Upright seam position from Ngidi. Iqbal gets the first run of the match. Sarkar, who almost chops on, pulls the penultimate ball of the over to the mid-wicket fence for a boundary.
3:00 pm: Tamil Iqbal comes out to the crease. His batting partner is Soumya Sarkar. Lungi Ngidi has the ball in his hand.
2:56 pm: The national anthems are underway. Bangladesh will take guard post that.
Lineups:
Bangladesh Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman
South Africa Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Jean-Paul Duminy, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir
2:31 pm: We want to test Bangladesh with pace. Mashrafe Mortaza confirms that there are no injury concerns and everyone is fit to play. Faf du Plessis confirms that Hashim Amla will sit out after the knock he took while facing Jofra Archer. Chris Morris is in as well.
2:31 pm: South Africa win toss and opt to FIELD first.
2:25 pm: Athar Ali Khan at the pitch report reckons that the surface will be similar to the one we witnessed against England. There will be carry and bounce and once settled, will be a decent surface to bat.
2.15 pm: Batting first is a risky proposition.
2.03 pm: Bangladesh will be playing their first match of the World Cup as they look to better their run to the quarter-finals in the 2015 edition.
Mashrafe Mortaza hopes to be fit to captain the team despite suffering a hamstring strain while bowling during their warm-up match against India on Tuesday
“A lot of times in such cases I face trouble bowling the first one or two overs. Once I get through that, I don’t face any more problems,” he told Dhaka-based bdnews24.
“But I pulled a hamstring during the sixth over,” he added. “I could have stopped after four or five overs but Rohit (Sharma) and (Virat) Kohli were looking to score runs quickly during that period. I felt that I needed to practise bowling in such a situation.”
Tamim Iqbal did not play against India due to a thigh strain, but the opener is expected to be fit to face South Africa.
2:00 pm: Hello and welcome to our coverage of the South Africa vs Bangladesh match of the 2019 World Cup.
The Proteas suffered a 104-run thrashing against hosts England in the tournament’s opening match on Thursday and South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has challenged his side to make amends for the painful start to their World Cup campaign against Bangladesh on Sunday.
South Africa restricted England to manageable 311 for 8 on a tricky pitch at the Oval but, tormented by Jofra Archer’s pace and bounce, their run chase never got going.
Dismissed for 207 by England, South Africa’s bid to win the World Cup for the first time is off to the worst possible start.
But they have a chance to get back on track when they return to the Oval to face Bangladesh and Du Plessis says now is not the time to panic.
The lengthy nature of the 10-team group stage, in which each country plays nine matches and the top four make the semi-finals, gives South Africa time to recover, a point Du Plessis was keen to emphasise to his players.
“This is where it’s important for us to make sure that you look at the World Cup for what it is. You know, you’re going to play games. You’re going to come up against quality opposition,” Du Plessis said.
“England were better than us in all three facets of the game. They showed why they are such a good cricket team, and now we have to look at the league. It’s a league competition.
“For me, it’s about making sure we look at the areas that we got it wrong and just move on.”
South Africa’s disciplined bowling against England gives Du Plessis reason to believe they still have plenty to offer.