Batsmen guide record-breaking Bangladesh to win against South Africa

A wonderful batting display led by the experienced duo of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, supported by eye-catching cameos from Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah, helped Bangladesh to 330/6 at The Oval on Sunday, 2 June, having been asked to bat by South Africa captain Faf du Plessis. The bowlers then struck regularly to keep South Africa to 309/8. Shakib and Mushfiqur were initially required to rebuild after both Bangladesh openers fell within 15 runs of each other. The pair added 142 for the third wicket and put a South African attack that was without Lungi Ngidi, who went off with a reported hamstring injury, to the sword. The loss of Shakib for 75 and Mushfiqur for 78 didn’t stem the scoring too much as Mahmudullah and Mossadek Hossain added 66 runs in just six overs towards the back end of the innings. Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram, promoted up the order due to Hashim Amla’s absence, opened the batting for the Proteas, and they added 49 before de Kock was run out in comical fashion. Captain du Plessis joined Markram and their partnership was worth 53 in exactly 10 overs before Shakib broke the stand to pick up his 250th wicket in ODIs. Markram the man to fall, bowled having misjudged the line. While South Africa continued to build partnerships, the run-rate climbed. Du Plessis reached his half-century with a back-foot punch over long-off for six and looked crucial to his side’s chase. However, he fell shortly after, outwitted by Mehidi, bowled through the gate to a ball that turned. Mashrafe Mortaza expertly rotated his bowlers, never allowing the batsmen to settle, and David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen fell looking to up the ante. South Africa breached 300, but tight Bangladesh bowling prevented them crossing the line. –ICC