Mahmudullah’s lone fight not enough as Bangladesh lose to South Africa by a huge margin

Bangladesh suffered a crushing defeat in their World Cup match against South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday. Despite a brilliant century from Mahmudullah Riyad, the Tigers could not chase down the mammoth target of 383 set by the Proteas, who were powered by Quinton de Kock's 174 and Heinrich Klaasen's 90.

Bangladesh's chase never got going as they lost wickets at regular intervals. South Africa's pace attack, led by Gerald Coetzee, who took three wickets, and Kagiso Rabada, who took two, kept the pressure on the batsmen and did not allow them to score freely. Only Mahmudullah showed some resistance and scored his third World Cup hundred, the most by a Bangladesh batsman. He reached his ton off 104 balls and hit 11 fours and two sixes in his knock of 111. However, he did not get much support from the other end and was eventually dismissed by Coetzee in the 35th over. Bangladesh were bowled out for 233 in 42.3 overs, losing by 149 runs.

Earlier, South Africa opted to bat first and put on a batting masterclass. De Kock and Rilee Rossouw gave them a solid start with a 142-run stand for the first wicket. Rossouw scored his maiden World Cup century, making 128 off 115 balls with 14 fours and two sixes. De Kock was even more aggressive and smashed the Bangladesh bowlers all over the park. He reached his hundred off just 88 balls and went on to score 174 off 140 balls with 16 fours and seven sixes. He was finally dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman in the 38th over.

Klaasen then joined Hashim Amla and continued the onslaught. He scored a blistering 90 off just 49 balls with six fours and eight sixes. He added 192 runs with Amla in just 67 balls, at a run rate of 17.2. Amla played the anchor role and scored an unbeaten 153 off 142 balls with 13 fours and three sixes. South Africa finished with a massive total of 382 for five in their 50 overs, the second highest in ODIs.

This was the third time that three batsmen scored centuries in the same innings in an ODI, and the first time in a World Cup match. South Africa also broke the record for the most runs scored in the last ten overs of an innings, scoring 163 runs.

Bangladesh's bowling was dismal as they conceded the most runs in their ODI history. None of their bowlers could contain the South African batsmen or take regular wickets. Mustafizur was the most economical bowler, taking one for 63 in his ten overs. Nasum Ahmed took two for 75, while Taskin Ahmed took one for 84. The rest of the bowlers went for more than nine runs per over.

This was Bangladesh's second loss in three matches in the World Cup. They are currently at the bottom of their group with two points. They will face England in their next match on October 28 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

South Africa, on the other hand, registered their second win in three matches and moved to the top of their group with four points. They will take on New Zealand in their next match on October 29 at Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.