Quinton de Kock hits 174 in South Africa’s big win over Bangladesh: ICC World Cup 2023
De Kock’s century, the biggest score of the World Cup thus far and his third of the competition, put the Proteas on a clear 382-5 lead.
In addition to his century against England, Heinrich Klaasen hit an equally lethal 90 off of 49 balls.
In response, Bangladesh was 233 all out despite a valiant century from Mahmudullah.
South Africa, having elected to bat first, was reduced to 36-2 during the powerplay, but a 131-run partnership between Aiden Markram (60) and De Kock put them back in the lead and set up yet another thrilling conclusion to an innings.
De Kock reached his 20th one-day international century after taking 101 balls with comparatively little restraint. However, after he reached three figures, he went into overdrive, hitting the boundary to score a further 74 runs off 39 balls.
After he left, Klaasen was in control and gladly took over, hitting eight sixes in his most recent power-hitting exhibition. David Miller finished the innings with an undefeated 34 off just 15 balls.
Having to pursue a World Cup record quickly got Bangladesh into difficulties.
The top-order collapse was initiated by Marco Jansen, who took two wickets in two deliveries. Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Liton Das were then removed by Lizaad Williams, Gerald Coetzee, and Kagiso Rabada, respectively, leaving the Tigers 58-5.
But there would be no fast end, as Mahmudullah exhibited incredible fortitude and skillfully managed the lower order to save Bangladesh from the shame of a historic World Cup defeat that appeared certain at one point.
The 37-year-old persevered in the latter half of the innings to reach his fourth ODI century from 104 balls before getting out for 111, even though the outcome was already known.
Win puts South Africa two points behind leaders India in the standings, while Bangladesh falls to the bottom, below England, on net run-rate.
Proteas Power to yet Another Convincing Victory
There was no denying South Africa’s batting prowess going into this competition.
The question that remained was whether they could continue to operate with the same ruthlessness and recklessness in the face of the increased pressure and attention that a World Cup brings.
After five games, the Proteas have firmly responded to it.
The newest victims of a prolific top six that nearly gives the opposition a false sense of security with 35 overs of calculated aggression before tearing them apart for the final 15 overs are Bangladesh’s bowlers.
At the Wankhede Stadium, De Kock embodied that strategy by mostly waiting on bad balls until he achieved his ton and then masterfully implementing an everything-must-go mentality.
In his last 50-over cricket match before quitting the format, the 30-year-old is playing the best of his life, and a spectacular climax in the Ahmedabad final on November 19 is still conceivable.
Due to their notorious track record of underperforming in World Cups, South Africa was shocked to lose to the Netherlands, which served as a warning that even the most dominant team might falter at any time.
As the competition goes on, the pressure will only mount, but every game that passes seems to show that De Kock, Klaasen, and company can lead the Proteas to something truly exceptional.