Tigers seek redemption in WC clash against South Africa today

Shakib to play against Proteas

FE Team | Published: October 23, 2023 21:55:43

Putting behind their dismal performance, Bangladesh seek a redemption as they will take on mighty South Africa in their fifth game of the ICC Cricket World Cup at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai tomorrow (Tuesday). The match will start at 2.30 pm (Bangladesh Time), report agencies.
Bangladesh's World Cup journey took a massive nosedive after tasting three consecutive defeats following a victory in their opening game against Afghanistan. Now, they will face off a team which has been in tremendous form with their batters coming all guns blazing in each and every match.
Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan set to play against South Africa tomorrow as he confirmed in the pre-match press conference on Monday.
"Yesterday, during training I didn't feel anything, today will do practice again. If everything goes well, I'll play tomorrow In Shaa Allah" Shakib, who was suffering from a thigh injury and missed important group stage clash against India.
South Africa posted 428-5 against Sri Lanka, 311-7 against Australia, 207 all out against Netherlands and 399-7 against defending champions England in their last matches, which demonstrated the devastating form of their batters. But what is the ominous sign for Bangladesh is that South Africa crushed England by a record 229 runs margin after posting 399-7 at this very venue a few days go. Meantime they also coped with Mumbai's shimmering heat. Bangladesh players on the hand were seen struggling in the scorching heat during their practice session.
Mumbai's short boundary and even bounce made it a batting paradise, much to the despair of Bangladesh which are not used to play in batting favourable wicket or sporting wicket. South Africa's fast bowlers also showed that Mumbai wicket is favourable for fast bowlers if one can bowl intelligently.
Bangladesh basically is used to win matches against big teams, playing slow and low wickets at home. But that was not the case in multinational tournament. In the last three matches they got batting favourable wicket but couldn't post even 270 plus total.
In 2007 World Cup, Bangladesh beat South Africa, thanks to an exceptional Mohammad Ashraful's 87, which is regarded as still the best knock played by a Bangladeshi batter in World Cup. Shakib Al Hasan's allround performance played a key role in Bangladesh's victory in the last World Cup.
Meanwhile, South Africa began their World Cup journey with dominant victories over Sri Lanka and Australia, winning both matches by margins of over 100 runs. However, a surprising loss to the Netherlands dented their momentum before they bounced back with a resounding 229-run victory over England.
While Bangladesh may not appear as formidable, particularly in the context of the World Cup, their history against South Africa, especially in World Cup matches, suggests they are a worthy adversary. Over the last four years, three of South Africa's six ODI defeats have come at the hands of Bangladesh, including a 21-run loss in the 2019 World Cup.