On century spree, De Kock demolishes B'desh

Mumbai: Run machine' Quinton de Kock racked up his third century in five innings as South Africa extended their belligerent run in the World Cup with a 149-run win over Bangladesh here on Tuesday.

Having piled up the third highest total of 382/5 in this World Cup — the first two also belonging to the rampant Proteas — South Africa ran through a largely disappointing Bangladesh batting effort, dismissing their opponents for 233 in 46.4 overs.

Mahmudullah Riyad struck a valiant 111 off as many balls — his fourth ton in 225 ODIs and first in six years — but the other Bangladesh batters cut a sorry figure on a pitch that remained conducive for batting.

It was Bangladesh's fourth consecutive loss in the World Cup while South Africa now have four wins from five games. Bangladesh were cautious to begin with but twin strikes from Marco Jansen (2/39) in the seventh over to get Tanzid Hasan (12) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) caught behind, and in the next, Lizaad Williams (2/56) dismissing Shakib Al Hasan (1), broke their back.

There was no coming back from the hole Bangladesh had fallen into but Mahmudullah's ton did help them reduce the defeat margin to a great extent.

Mahmudullah added 41 runs for the seventh wicket with Nasum Ahmed (19), 37 runs for the eighth wicket with Hasan Mahmud (15) and 68 runs for the ninth wicket with Mustafzur Rahman (11) to keep South Africa out on the park for as long as he could.

More importantly, Mahmudulla's effort also averted the heaviest loss in World Cup his - tory which was at the horizon at one stage when Bangladesh were reduced to 81 for six chasing 383.

Brief scores: South Africa 382/5 in 50 overs (Quinton de Kock 174, Heinrich Klaasen 90, Aiden Markram 60; Hasan Mahmud 2-67) beat Bangladesh 233 in 46.4 overs (Mahmudullah 111; Gerald Coetzee 3-62, Marco Jansen 2-39, Kagiso Rabada 2-42) by 149 runs (PTI)