Mahmudullah showed his valour and experience to pick up third World Cup century but Bangladesh conceded meekly once again as they lost by 149 runs against South Africa at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday.
South Africa posted a huge 382-5 after winning the toss thanks to a massive 174-run innings of Quinton de Kock and rapid-fire 90 from Heinrich Klassen but their start was not smooth.
After dropping opener Reza Heindricks early, Bangladesh made redemption when a Shoriful Islam inswing bowled the opener for 12. Mehidy Hasan Miraz utilised the weakness of Van der Dussen against spin when he trapped the latter for just one and reduced South Africa to 36-2 in eighth over.
De Kock and Markram took some time to resurrect the innings and once they were well set they upped the tempo. After adding 131 runs in the stand Markram was caught by Litton off Shakib al Hasan but the joy of Bangladesh soon evaporated.
De Kock looked to be in pain and fatigued under the extreme heat but he was so well set he could hit any bowler at will. Klassen joined him and upon a solid base they started carnage.
South Africa reached 238 after 40 overs and Bangladesh were expecting the storm in the last ten. It actually turned out into a wildest tempest as the batters started hitting boundaries in almost every alternative delivery.
Just when it looked De Kock heading towards his double ton, he miscued a Hasan Mahmud delivery to off side to be caught by Nasum Ahmed. De Kock made 174 off 140 with five fours and seven sixes.
Klassen missed his three-figure as well as he was dismissed in the second ball of the final over to the same bowler. By then he made a whirlwind 90 off just 49. South Africa took the match away from Bangladesh.
In pursuit of the herculean task the openers took a steady route and scored 30 off the first six overs. But Tanzid Hassan and one-down Najmul Hossain got out in the consecutive balls of Marco Jansen. Both caught behind with the leg-side deliveries proving the frailty of the Bangladesh batters.
That misery continued when skipper Shakib nicked a ball way outside the off-stump to get out for one and Mushfiqur Rahim held at the deep backward point for eight when he was trying an uppercut.
Litton got out for 22 off 44 after a very unconvincing innings and entered Mahmudullah.
It was indeed a lost cause by then and the only interest seemed the losing margin. Mahmudullah, who was included in the squad at the eleventh hour amidst many dramas, was determined to earn some glory though.
He got good support from all the lower order batters as Nasum Ahmed, Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman scored double figures and more importantly stayed in the wicket.
Mahmudullah started to build up innings without much pressure and started frustrating the opponents. The right-hander, who scored two centuries in World Cup 2015, picked up his third World Cup century with some spectacular shots.
He not only reduced the margin but also gained pride and perhaps answered all the critics and lampoons he had to face. His jump in joy for scoring the figure when the team is losing by a huge margin may look odd, but considering the grand narrative that can be understood.
In the end he was dismissed for a run-a-ball 111 and Bangladesh bundled out for 233.
With four defeats in a row Bangladesh are now bottom of the table and their semifinal hope is all but finished.