Bangladesh posted their highest total in one-day international cricket as they shocked South Africa to start their World Cup campaign with a 21-run win on Monday (NZ time).
The win sends a warning to rest of the field, underlining their reputation as dangerous outsiders at the tournament, while South Africa slumped to their second successive defeat.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan put together a record partnership as Bangladesh made 330/6 after being sent into bat at The Oval in London.
- Blackcaps dominate Sri Lanka in opener
- As it happened - Blackcaps thrash Sri Lanka in Cardiff
- Kane Williamson happy Blackcaps are flying under the radar
- Fearless predictions for Cricket World Cup 2019
That left South Africa needing the highest successful chase in World Cup history to win, but they came up short, finishing 309/8.
Mushfiqur and Shakib added 142 runs for the third wicket to notch up Bangladesh's highest World Cup partnership in an aggressive batting display backed by enthusiastic support.
Bangladesh moved on to 217/2 before Shakib was bowled for 75 by Imran Tahir in the 36th over while attempting a sweep shot to a full-pitched ball.
Mushfiqur went for 78 not long after, caught on the boundary off Andile Phehlukwayo.
But South Africa, who lost to hosts England at the same venue in the tournament opener, were unable to keep the brakes on and continued to leak runs right to the end of the innings.
Mahmudullah hit an unbeaten 46, and Mosaddek Hossain scored 26 runs off 20 balls as Bangladesh smashed 54 runs off the last four overs.
South Africa had gambled on putting Bangladesh, four places below them in the ODI rankings, into bat and hoping to bounce them out cheaply with their pace attack but that fell flat on a docile wicket, and was exacerbated by a hamstring injury to Lungi Ngidi.
The fast bowler left the field after bowling just four overs and is a doubt for their next match against India.
"Nothing went to plan, and I feel we are firing at only 50 to 60percent of our potential," said losing captain Faf du Plessis.
South Africa's target was a tough one, and after Quinton de Kock departed, Aiden Markram (45) was bowled by Shakib to make the Bangladeshi all-rounder, playing his 199th ODI, the fastest player to the double of 5,000 runs and 250 wickets.
Du Plessis threatened to lead a successful chase but was bowled for 63, followed by David Miller (38) and Rassie van der Dussen (41) as South African hopes slipped away.
Mustafizur Rahman returned the best figures of 3-52, but all six bowlers contributed to keeping South Africa in check with a good variety of deliveries.
Bangladesh face the Blackcaps at The Oval on Thursday morning (NZT).
Reuters
Join us for live updates of all Blackcaps' matches at the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales
