BAN vs SA: Bangladesh’s World Cup dream over

Bangladesh’s World Cup part was over Saturday after they suffered a humiliating 206-run defeat by South Africa in their last Group B match at the Shere Bangla National Stadium here.

The result saw South Africa entering quarters as group toppers and also put India and England into the quarter-finals.

The Proteas posted a commanding 284-8 with Jacques Kallis top scoring on 69 after captain Graeme Smith opted to bat first.

The home side, needing to win in Mirpur to progress, then crumbled to 78 all out in reply as spinner Robin Peterson finished with fine figures of 4-12.

Shakib Al Hasan’s side now need an enormous and hugely unlikely victory margin by India against West Indies on Sunday to steal the Windies’ place in the knock-out stages on net run rate, but in all likelihood, their participation is over.

South Africa took the luxury of resting opening bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel but still had no trouble at any stage at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Openers Smith and Hashim Amla enjoyed their best partnership of the tournament as the Proteas reached 97 off 20 overs.

Mahmudullah picked up the skipper stumped for 45 before Abdur Razzak bowled Amla for 51.

JP Duminy fell for 17 after a loose shot, but Kallis and Francois du Plessis consolidated further, with the latter adding 52 at a run a ball before chipping Rubel Hossain to mid-off.

While chasing, none of the Bangladeshi batsman barring skipper Shakib-al-Hasan could get to double figures. Shakib dug in to make 30 but when he edged behind off the impressive Peterson, all hope was lost.

Shakib admitted letting down the fans.

“The expectations were high among our people because we had played so well over the past 12 months, but we let them down.

“We have not played good cricket at the World Cup and I feel very sorry for our fans. They deserved much more than we gave them,” he said.

“There is no other reason for our failure than bad batting. We should probably have given away 20 runs less, but the match was over once we lost four wickets quickly. You can’t find excuses once you are bowled out for 78.

He added: “This was a pressure match for us. We knew we had to win. The team just could not take the pressure.”