Bangladesh pulled off an upset by defeating South Africa by 21 runs at the Kennington Oval stadium in London on Sunday. Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was declared Man-of-the-Match for his 75-run knock and a wicket of Aiden Markram.

Winning the toss on a batting-friendly wicket, South Africa decided to bowl first against Bangladesh.

The Bangla Tigers went all guns blazing with their openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar showcasing their stroke play and scoring 68 runs in 8.1 overs. But soon the Bangladeshi juggernaut trembled as Andile Phehlukwayo sent Tamim Iqbal (16) back to the hut. Soumya Sarkar too joined Iqbal after a well-made 42, falling to a Chris Morris delivery and the scorecard read 75-2 after 11.4 overs. To Bangladesh’s respite, a 142-run stand between Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim for the third wicket steadied the ship. Shakib was bowled out by Imran Tahir — who was playing his 100th one-day International — for 75. Rahim too departed to Chris Morris after smacking 78 runs.

Batting all-rounder Mahmudullah’s fireworks in the slog overs helped Bangladesh reach 330 — their highest ever total in World Cup. Mahmudullah scored 46 not out off just 33 balls.

For South Africa, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris and Imran Tahir took two wickets each. However, their frontline pacer Lungi Ngidi got injured and had to leave the ground, bowling just four overs.

South Africa started their chase of 331 quite positively but soon lost their nerve under pressure. It all started with Quinton de Kock (23) gifting his wicket away to a shambolic run-out when his team’s score was 49. Aiden Markram (45) was the next batsman to depart off a Shakib Al Hasan delivery. Though a 62-run innings from South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and a 45 by JP Duminy gave the Proteas some hope but eventually they sunk below the consistently rising required run rate, courtesy some tight bowling by the Bangladeshi bowlers who gave nothing away on the field.

Even though South Africa played all the 50 overs, they could amass only 309 runs, 21 runs short of Bangladesh.

This win will boost the confidence of the Bangla Tigers who, more than a win, have made a statement that fighting them will not be a cakewalk. However, a hapless South Africa, on the other, have to wait longer for a win.

Bangladesh will face New Zealand next on July 5 (Wednesday) and South Africa will face India on the same date.

Scorecard: Bangladesh 330/6 in 50 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 78, Shakib Al Hasan 75, Mahmudullah 46 not out, Andile Phehlukwayo 2/57, Imran Tahir 2/57); South Africa 309/8 in 50 overs (Faf du Plessis 62, JP Duminy 45, Aiden Markram 45, Mustafizur Rahman 3/67, Mohammad Saifuddin 2/57)