Sat, 19 Mar 2011 - Bangladesh vs South Africa, World Cup 2011, 39th match Group B - Preview

A daunting task awaits Bangladesh as they take on mighty South Africans in their last group game at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

Bangladesh have 6 points from their 5 games and with their net run rate falling way below the West Indies (who also have 6 points in 5 matches), nothing but a victory against South Africans will sail them through to the next stage.

Cricket has turned out to be a cohesive force in this country bringing millions of countryman together at a time when the nation is going through a period of economic uncertainty.

Bangladeshi players will be fully aware of their role as ambassadors of hope for their countrymen and would therefore leave no stone unturned to repeat their miraculous win against the Proteas in the 2007 world cup.

However, given the way Proteas have performed in this world cup, it will take an all-round performance of top-notch quality from the tigers to stun Smith and company.

South Africa

South Africa has been in top form throughout the world cup with their only defeat coming against England in a low-scoring humdinger.

While A B De Villiers has led South African batting with fanfare, Dale Steyn has been among the top performers with the ball in this world cup.

The form of Jacques Kallis and skipper Smith, however, has been a matter of worry for the rainbow nation and given the stature they have, both of them would like to get back among runs before the tournament enters the knockout stage.

Bangladesh has always been very competitive in their home conditions and therefore South Africa will not make a mistake of taking them lightly.

Squad: Graeme Smith (c), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers (wk), Jean-Paul Dumminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, JacquesKallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk (wk), Coach: Corne van Zyll

Bangladesh

The ongoing world cup has been a mix bag for Bangla tigers. While they have been impressive in their triumphs over Ireland, Netherlands and England, their performance against West Indies and India were dismal.

Consistency is what separates a good side from a mere average one and its high time Bangladesh made a transition from being a one-time wonder to a consistent side.

Much of Bangladeshi hope will again rest on its spin quartet who has proved more than handful in home conditions. In Batting, the team will depend on opener

Imrul Kayes and skipper Saquib Ul Hasan who have been in sterling form throughout the world cup.

Spin has been South African’s weakness and if Bangladeshi spinners can exploit it on the field, there is no reason as to why they can’t repeat their 2007 feat.

Bangladesh will have all the support from their fans but the big question is whether they can live up to the expectation or choke under it. Only time will tell.

Squad: Shakib-al-Hassan, Mohammad Ashraful, Tamim Iqbal, Shahriyar Nafees, Junaid Siddique, Imrul Kayes, Raqibul Hassan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Naeemul Islam, Shafi-ul-Islam, Mohammad Sohrawardi, Nazmul Hossian, Rubel Hossian, Mahmudullah and Abdur Razzak, Coach: Jamie Siddons