Latest ICC World Cup 2023 Points Table: South Africa Jump To 2nd Position After Defeating Bangladesh

'Run machine' Quinton de Kock racked up his third century in five innings as South Africa extended their belligerent run in the World Cup with a 149-run win over Bangladesh in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Having piled up the third highest total of 382/5 in this World Cup — the first two also belonging to the rampant Proteas — South Africa ran through a largely disappointing Bangladesh batting effort, dismissing their opponents for 233 in 46.4 overs.

Mahmudullah Riyad struck a valiant 111 off as many balls — his fourth ton in 225 ODIs and first in six years — but the other Bangladesh batters cut a sorry figure on a pitch that remained conducive for batting.

It was Bangladesh's fourth consecutive loss in the World Cup while South Africa now have four wins from five games. The defeat was also Bangladesh’s third heaviest in terms of runs in World Cup history.

With the win, South Africa are now placed second on the ICC World Cup 2023 points table. They have the best Net Run Rate (+2.370) in the tournament so far. Bangladesh have replaced England at the bottom of the points table.

India is the only undefeated team in the tournament so far and are on top of the World Cup 2023 points table with five wins in five matches. Australia, who will face the Netherlands on Wednesday are placed fourth with two wins and two defeats in four games.

Pakistan are fifth followed by Afghanistan who defeated the former on Monday. Netherlands, Sri Lanka and England are placed at seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.

Bolstered by the revival of their batting firepower, a rejuvenated Australia will look for another dominating show against a tenacious Netherlands in a World Cup match in Delhi on Wednesday.

There is also a lot of optimism around Travis Head's return from hand injury after he hit the nets on Monday and Australia will hope to get his services against the Netherlands.

After a disappointing start to their campaign, the five-time champions turned it around with two solid performances against Sri Lanka and Pakistan but they know very well that they can ill-afford to take the Dutch lightly in what is turning out to be a World Cup of upsets.

The Netherlands have been one of the success stories of this showpiece event as they stunned an in-form South Africa at Dharamsala after returning to the World Cup following a 12-year hiatus.

However, beating Australia will take some doing.

(With PTI inputs)