Record-breaking Bangladesh condemned South Africa to a second World Cup defeat in four days, subduing the lackustre Proteas by 21 runs at The Oval.
Talisman all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan became the fastest man to 250 wickets and 5,000 One Day International runs in his 199th match, with a vital 1-50 with the ball and 75 with the bat.
Bangladesh notched their highest-ever ODI score of 6-330, to add another World Cup scalp of South Africa to their famous win of 2007.
Mushfiqur Rahim fired 78 to share a 142-run third wicket stand with Shakib, who leaked just two fours in his 10 overs with the ball.
Mustafizur Rahman plundered 3-67, with Mohammad Saifuddin taking 2-57 in a comprehensive victory to expose serious shortcomings in the Proteas ranks.
South Africa simply had no answers, unable to pull off what would have proved a record World Cup run chase – and were left to leave south London licking their wounds and counting a rising injury tally.
Lungi Ngidi’s frustrations boiled over when he took a needless coconut-shy pitch at the stumps while standing on the square with Tamim Iqbal obviously in ground and forced to block the ball.
The 23-year-old paceman’s day quickly worsened as he hobbled out with a hamstring injury having bowled just four fruitless overs.
Now Ngidi joins the concussed Hashim Amla and shoulder injury-carrying Dale Steyn as doubts for Wednesday’s pivotal clash with India in Southampton.
South Africa could ill afford to add another loss to Thursday’s 104-run defeat to hosts England, but Bangladesh squeezed Faf Du Plessis’ men from start to finish.
Bangladesh cared not for South Africa’s troubles however, powering to victory to kick-start their tournament in style and tee up an intriguing clash with New Zealand back at The Oval on Wednesday.
Bangladesh just managed to top their previous ODI record of 6-329, that came against Pakistan in 2015. Had Imran Tahir not bagged a smart two-wicket brace South Africa’s ignominy would have deepened still further.
The Proteas’ decision to bowl backfired spectacularly as Bangladesh reached 2-190 after 30 overs, with Shakib and Mushfiqur comfortable in their century stand.
Tahir bagged two wickets in 10 balls for just seven runs to hand South Africa a chance, but Mahmudullah and Mossadek Hussain threw the bat at the death to inch Bangladesh to that record score.
Quinton De Kock’s mix-up run out summed up South Africa’s day, the wicketkeeper batsman departing for 23 after Aiden Markram rejected a run.
Shakib clean bowled Markram, then even doughty skipper Du Plessis threw his wicket away on 62.
The captain had looked in total control until drawn into a false shot by Mehidy’s smart bowling and captain Mashrafe Mortaza bringing up long off to mid off as a tempter.
Rassie Van Der Dussen and JP Duminy both reached the 40s, but neither could kick on as Bangladesh continued to turn the screw.
The Proteas ended on 309 for eight from their full allocation; some way shy and doubtless prompting a sizeable internal inquest.
Neel
Roar Guru
Gee, that was huge. Mohammed Akram’s cameo and the bowling of Mohammed Rafique. What could have been in that tournament. 2011, they could have made the semis if they put up a better show against either the South Africans or the West Indies. Mate, I go for the Kiwis, hopefully we don’t take the Bangladeshis lightly. It should be a good contest, I hope the Blackcaps will win but it’s the World Cup and anything can happen.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Don't forget Pakistan in 1999. That was on another level. We were an associate nation and the rivalry due to the history between the nations (Bangladesh was part of Pakistan for 24 years till civil war gave us independence for those who may not know) made it an important game for us. To defend 221 against that Pakistan side was something extraordinary. Makes me think if we had scored 210ish against the Windies. We could've made a shock entry into the super sixes. But now bring on the Kiwis. They are a world class side but their middle order is iffy. Get early wickets and we give ourselves a chance. Channel that Cardiff performance from 2 years ago boys
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Lol U. The term South African Sports management can at best be described as an oxymoron. They have be it in cricket, rugby or soccer less collective intelligence than a herd of rhinoceros. I seriously can say in my own circles of buddies that nobody found targeting the okes personal life in particular his family acceptable. Truth is we really aren't that different to Australians.
U
Roar Rookie
That may be but South African management were involved with those masks
U
Roar Rookie
It’s not a given that Australia beats the Windies
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
It hurts me to say it. Never expected to but as a Saffer, gotta say well played Bangladesh. Brought us down a peg or 2.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Yup. Well done to Bangladesh. They approached the game not hoping to win but confident of winning it. SA always just looked hopeful.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
JVGO, a tiny portion of the crowd wore the SBW masks. For the rest most probably didn’t even realize the context and for those who did myself included, we did not find it particularly amusing. Yes we have our yobo supporters, what, Australia doesn’t? During the Afghanistan VS Aus game there were a few poms, probably 3 or 4 who did the sandpaper pantomime, but according to one Australian who was at the game posting here on the Roar, only 1 person evicted from the stadium by the police and he was an Aussie. Get some perspective. Must we now say all Aussies cannot behave themselves. Must we judge your entire nation by this fellows behavior. Obviously not. I respectably request that you do not do the same to us.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
What a silly comment. 1999 South Africa drew the game against Australia. Did not lose... Drew it. Aus eventual winners. Only got thru on net run rate. This is not a choking SA team, it is a poor one. Be careful of labeling tags. Before you know it the tag of cheaters are going to be attached to your team.
Lawrence
Roar Rookie
SAfrica chokers at World Cups.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Here's a weather forecast for you: rain is forecast for the majority of this week and so there is a high chance that this week's WC matches will be rain-affected.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Business as usual for South Africa in World Cups.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
SA came into the tournament over hyped. Closer analysis shows this is the weakest team we have ever sent to a WC. No batting depth and carrying too many fielding passengers, specifically Amla and Tahir. Amla out of form with the bat for a long time now. Van Der Dussen only a few caps, Markram unable to transfer his Test exploits onto the ODI arena and probably lucky to be selected. Phelukwayo unimpressive in his Intl ODI career to date. Pretorious doesn’t belong at this level. The only saving grace was the pace attack… But Nortje injured in the nets, Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi all carrying injuries into the tournament. Not one at full fitness. Given all this was the Bangladesh win really such a surprise.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
The Tigers are Roaring.
satz
Roar Rookie
In 1992, South Africa qualified with 5 wins with a last over victory vs India in a 30 over shootout at Adelaide. Pakistan was the luckiest with 4 wins. They had one no result vs England ,having been bowled out for 74 and that proved the great escape. They won only one of their first 5 matches.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah good point about the weather.
The Bush
Roar Guru
It’s certainly a long way back from here jameswm. Like you, I reckon you probably need to win 6 games to make it into the semis. As you say, that means they now have to win against both Windies and Pak (as well as Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, so no more upsets allowed) and then two of NZ, Aus and India. Can’t see it happening. The other thing is that the weather remains an unknown. If they now cop a washout against any of SL, Afg, Windies or Pak, then I say that’s their tournament over…
Paul
Roar Guru
SA might do in 2019 what England did in 2015.
Neel
Roar Guru
One more loss and they could be staring at a very early exit. A team that many touted as contenders or dark horses have been so far disappointing. Hopefully, they fire soon for their fans sake or else they are done. As for the Bangladeshis, well they could spring a few more surprises.
Neel
Roar Guru
Bangladesh keep pulling off an upset with each World Cup. 2007 - India (India were knocked out in the first group phase by the Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans) and South Africa, 2011 & 2015 - England (they knocked England out of the tournament in 2015) & they beat South Africa in this edition.