ICC February 22, 2003: Ntini leaves Bangladesh battered and bruised
As Per Cricbuzz Report, The Cricket World Cup has witnessed some memorable encounters, but the clash between SA vs BAN on February 22, 2003, stands out as one of the most one-sided affairs in the history of the tournament. This article takes you on a journey through this thrilling match, highlighting the key moments that left Bangladesh battered and bruised.
SA vs BAN ODI Matches Highlights
South Africa’s Dominance from the Start
The encounter started with South Africa winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. Led by their captain, Shaun Pollock, the Proteas were on fire with the ball. They quickly reduced the Bangladeshi team to 21 for 3 in just the ninth over, putting immense pressure on their opponents right from the beginning.
Unfortunately for Bangladesh, they never managed to recover from this early setback. Throughout the innings, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and only two batters – Khaled Mashud and Khaled Mahmud – managed to cross the 20-run mark. Makhaya Ntini was the chief tormentor, running through the lower order and finishing with an impressive four-wicket haul.
In the end, Bangladesh could only muster a paltry 108 runs before being bowled out. This total was never going to be enough to challenge a formidable South African side in a World Cup encounter.
South Africa’s openers had little trouble in their chase, and they managed to wipe off more than 68 percent of the target before the lunch break. The Proteas’ batsmen made the run chase look easy, and they reached the target with a remarkable 38 overs to spare.
April 7, 2007: Giant killers Bangladesh scalp another mighty nation
Fast forward to April 7, 2007, and Bangladesh once again found themselves in a World Cup clash, this time against the top-ranked ODI side, South Africa. Despite the odds stacked against them, the Bangladeshis pulled off a stunning victory, toppling South Africa from their number one ranking and bringing the tournament into the limelight.
The day’s play was set against overcast conditions, and both captains were keen to field first. However, it was Graeme Smith, the South African skipper, who won the toss and opted to field.
Bangladesh got off to a shaky start, being reduced to 84-4. However, they were not ready to back down without a fight. Mohammad Ashraful played a masterclass innings, displaying a mix of patience and aggression. He paced his innings perfectly, transitioning from a cautious start to a breathtaking display of stroke play. Ashraful’s paddle scoops and lofted drives showcased his brilliance as he scored his last 40 runs off just 20 deliveries.
On a deteriorating pitch, Syed Rasel removed the two senior South African batsmen early in the innings. This set the stage for the trio of left-arm spinners to wreak havoc, claiming six wickets between them. Despite a lone fight from Herschelle Gibbs, who scored an unbeaten half-century, South Africa struggled to keep up with the required run rate. In the end, Bangladesh pulled off a historic upset in the Super Eight stage of the tournament.
March 19, 2011: Horrendous Bangladesh capitulate to humiliation
The World Cup has a way of creating remarkable stories, and the encounter between Bangladesh and South Africa on March 19, 2011, was no exception. The context of this match was unique, as Bangladesh had previously defeated South Africa, but their performance on this day was far from impressive.
The expectations were high, especially among Bangladeshi fans, after their team’s stunning win against South Africa in a prior World Cup meeting. However, the reality was vastly different from the hopes.
South Africa displayed their strength in batting as three of their top five batsmen scored fifties. Robin Peterson’s quickfire cameo of 22 runs off 9 balls propelled the visitors to a total of 284 runs, well above par for the conditions.
In stark contrast, Bangladesh’s performance was abysmal. Except for Shakib Al Hasan, who managed to score 30 runs, no other Bangladeshi batsman reached double digits. The team was bowled out for a mere 78 runs. The disappointment was evident, and Shakib Al Hasan openly apologized to the fans for their dismal performance.
June 2, 2019: Bangla shock for South Africa
June 2, 2019, witnessed a significant upset in the Cricket World Cup as Bangladesh, the underdogs, shocked perennial favorites South Africa with a 21-run victory at The Oval, London.
South African captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and opted to bowl. However, his bowlers struggled to contain the Bangladeshi batsmen.
Soumya Sarkar provided a fiery start with a 30-ball 42. Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim then continued the momentum with a massive 142-run partnership for the third wicket. Mahmudullah’s quick 46 off 33 balls helped Bangladesh post a challenging total of 330 runs.
Despite starts from several South African top-order batsmen, they couldn’t maintain the required run rate. In the end, South Africa finished at 309 for 8, falling short by 21 runs and suffering their second consecutive loss.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these four World Cup encounters between South Africa and Bangladesh have provided a mix of thrilling moments and unexpected outcomes. From South Africa’s dominance in 2003 to Bangladesh’s giant-killing acts in 2007 and 2019, these matches have added memorable chapters to the history of cricket’s most prestigious tournament.