Skipper Markram praises de Kock and Klaasen

The experienced left hander Quinton de Kock who hammered Bangladesh with a 174, said that he was a bit nervous coming into the World Cup match on Tuesday against Bangladesh which played at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. Quinton set up highest individual ODI scor at Wenkade Stadium while he is the highest scoring wicket keeper at the World Cup history. Earlier Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya having highest 151 against India at Wenkade Stadium in 1997 and now Quinton erased that record.

In fact de Kock having 407 runs in just five matches on top of the batters so far at this World Cup while he is the only player to score three centuries so far in this World Cup.

Heinrich Klaasen’s blistering 90 was the cornerstone of South Africa’s impressive 149-run win over Bangladesh here. “I was a bit nervous on match day morning, don’t normally get nervous at all. I had a bit of fun, great to get two points. But I was a bit more tired than satisfied (after the innings),” said de Kock during the post-match presentation.

The left-handed batter praised Klaasen for producing another good knock and said his contribution to the team is very important.

“He’s been special, for every team he’s played for. Taking the tournament by storm,” he added.

South African skipper Aiden Markram who himself made a 60, lauded de Kock and Klaasen for their brilliant innings.

“What Quinny (de Kock) did was superb and then Klaasen walks in and smashes it. Everyone approaches it differently but it gels quite nicely. We keep striving to put in big performances,” said Markram who is stand in skipper as absence of Temba Bavuma.

Pacer Lungi Ngidi sat out of the match with a knee niggle and Markram hoped that he would be fit for the match against Pakistan.

“Hopefully, he can recover well over the next couple of days and be ready for Pakistan,” he said.

Markram said South Africa have been trying to become a team that chases well too.

The more you win batting first the more you lean that way. But once we get one chase under the belt, hopefully, we’ll be a good team at chasing.” Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said they lost the match in the final 10 overs when De Kock and Klaasen went on a rampage, adding 144 runs.

“Lot to be learnt, and lot to play for. We will love to finish 5-6 if not in the semis. We’re not playing like a team that can do it, but hope to finish stronger,” he added. Both Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim the most experienced Bangladesh players were not among the runs but all rounder Mahmudullah hit a fighting century in this match.

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