South Africa hand Bangladesh 10-wicket thrashing

Host South Africa’s openers displayed yet another commanding and dominant performance as they completed up a 10-wicket win chasing 279 against visitor Bangladesh in the first ODI at De Beers Diamond Oval Sunday. In pursuit of 279, South Africa wrapped up the match in just 42.5 overs with both the opening batsmen Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla striking centuries. De Kock was particularly aggressive as the wicketkeeper-batsman scored his 13th ODI ton. He remained unbeaten on 168 off 145 balls with 21 boundaries and two sixes. Amla at the other end played yet another classic innings to pick up his 26th ODI century as he was not out on 110 off 112 balls hitting eight boundaries.

#ProteaFire #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/RWgRLMps2I

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 15, 2017

Bangladesh bowling looked hapless throughout South Africa’s batting as only a few chances were created to take wickets. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed dropped a caught and bowled chance when Amla was batting on 93 and the scoreboard read 237. Later, all-rounder Nasir Hossain also grassed an opportunity of De Kock off captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza’s bowling when South Africa were on the verge of victory. Earlier, Mashrafe won the toss and elected to bat first. Bangladesh made several changes to the playing XI as paceman Mustafizur Rahman was ruled out due to ankle injury before the game. And unfortunately, opener Tamim Iqbal was also ruled out, although he was supposed to be fit on matchday. And surprisingly, opening batsman Soumya Sarkar was axed from the playing XI. So Bangladesh went in to bat with a new opening pair as wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Kumar Das and the left-handed Imrul Kayes started the innings. It was a good start for the new opening pair as they posted 40 runs inside eight overs. But after a good start, Liton was the first batsmen who went back to the pavilion. In-form South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada picked up the first wicket. Liton scored 21 off 29 balls with four boundaries before being caught by captain Faf du Plessis. There was more surprise to come in the batting order as all-rounder Shakib al Hasan came in to bat at No 3. Kayes was the next man to go as yet again, he got out for 31 after getting set. Shakib created a world record when he crossed 17, becoming the fastest player to join the 5000-run and 200-wicket club in ODIs.

Congratulations to Man of the Match, @QuinnyDeKock69! #ProteaFire #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/LScA8JA5gJ

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 15, 2017

Shakib eventually scored 29 as leg-spinner Imran Tahir bagged his important wicket in the 26th over. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim stood tall however, and anchored the innings all the way until the end. In the process, Mushfiq blasted his fifth ODI hundred and became the first Bangladesh batsman to score a century on South African soil. Mushfiq’s brilliant innings was composed of 11 boundaries and two sixes. None of the remaining batsmen in the middle-order made that much contribution, with the exception of Mushfiq, as Bangladesh’s innings ended on 278 for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs. All-rounder Mahmudllah scored 26, No 6 batsman Sabbir Rahman made 19, Nasir scored 11 while debutant Saifuddin was unbeaten on 16. Rabada notched four wickets for the Proteas but it was De Kock who was adjudged man of the match.BRIEF SCORESouth Africa 282/0 in 42.5 overs (De Kock 168*, Amla 110*) beat Bangladesh 278/7 (Mushfiq 110*, Rabada 4/43) by 10 wickets