WC 2019: Shakib, Mushfiqur Fifties Power B’desh to 330/6 vs SA

Lungi Ngidi injured his hamstring and did not return to bowl for South Africa after bowling his initial four overs.

Shakib and Mushfiqur added 142 for the third wicket.

(Photo: AP)

• Bangladesh: 330/6 in 50 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 78, Shakib Al Hasan 75, Mahmudullah 46* vs South Africa)
• Shakib-Mushfiqur added a 142-run stand for the third wicket
• Bangladesh overhauled their previous highest World Cup score 322/4 vs Scotland in 2015 in this match.

A 142-run stand between Shakib-Al Hasan (75) and Mushfiqur Rahim (78) provided the perfect platform after a good start for Bangladesh, who ended at 330/6 at the end of their 50 overs at The Oval against South Africa on Sunday, 2 June, in their tournament opener at the ICC World Cup 2019.

142 incidentally, is also Bangladesh’s highest ever partnership in World Cup history. Their previous best was 141 between Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim vs England World Cup 2015.

South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision backfired as Soumya Sarkar (42) and Tamim Iqbal (16) added 60 for the first wicket inside the first 10 overs.

Bangladesh batsmen were particularly severe on the Protean pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.

To make matters worse for South Africa, Ngidi injured his hamstring and did not return to bowl after bowling his initial four overs.

It was Tahir who broke through for South Africa dismissing the Bangladesh all-rounder after he and Mushfiqur managed to keep them under the pump throughout the partnership.

Playing his 100th game for South Africa, Tahir picked up two wickets including the one off Shakib. (Photo: AP) 

Mushfiqur was also dismissed in the final stages of the Bangladesh innings.

Coming into bat in the final 10 overs, Mahmudullah Riyad (46*) played a useful hand as he added a 66-run stand with Mosaddek Hossain (26) after the fall of Mushfiqur’s wicket in the 43rd over.

South Africa, who started their World Cup with a loss against England now have a tough task on their hands as they set out to chase 331 to win their first game in the tournament.