Mashrafe Mortaza tempers expectation despite Bangladesh shocking South Africa

The Tigers claimed a famous 21-run over the four-time semi-finalists but it cannot be considered their best World Cup win according to the skipper

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has refused to label the 21-run win over South Africa as the country's best ever World Cup and admits he does not care whether the nation will now be taken more seriously.

Surprise results against major nations have now become a regular occurrence and the win over The Proteas was their second against the four-time semi-finalists in the 50-over competition alone.

The success goes alongside two wins over England from 2011 and 2015 as well as victories over India and Pakistan in previous editions.

But Mashrafe couldn't care less whether it leads the wider cricketing public recognising them as a force on the global stage.

"It depends," he stated of the 2017 Champions Trophy quarter-finalists, who were 80-1 outsiders to win the World Cup at the start of the tournament.

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"I can't comment too much about it, it depends on the particular person and how they think about it. 

"We are concentrating on our own game and if we can deliver our best. We are concentrating on our own games and let people say whatever they want. 

"If they're not happy with us obviously they'll say so. We shouldn't think about it and keep contracting on our own game."

The Tigers put on their highest World Cup score after being inserted by South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, scoring 330 for 6 with Mushfiqur Rahim top scoring with 78.

Attempting to prevent what would have been the highest successful chase in World Cup history, Mustafizur Rahman took 3-67 and Mohammad Saifuddin ended with 2-57.

^{Bangladesh have a host of famous World Cup wins - including knocking England out in 2015}

But it can't be used as the benchmark as far as Bangladesh's results in the competition are concerned, according to the 35-year-old.

We played well in a few matches in 2007, 2011 we played well," he explained. 

"Especially if you're talking about a specific match I don't think this is the best one. 

"But we played so well especially playing in England. These conditions are not easy. This doesn't not give us the favour that we're used to at home. 

"But again I thought it was one of the best performances and we love to play the way we did today. I am sure it won't happens every day but that is the idea."

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