Bangladesh look to overcome the mighty South Africans – ICC World Cup 2011
Bangladesh are aiming to upset the mighty South Africans in order to advance into the knockout stage of the ICC World Cup 2011. They have the potential to do so, but it will be very hard considering the excellent form of the Proteas team. The match will be played at Dhaka, Bangladesh on Saturday 19^th March.
There is still a lot of uncertainty in Group B, as the quarterfinalists have not yet been confirmed. South Africa is the only team which is comfortably placed at the top of their group and they have reserved their quarter-final berth. However, if Bangladesh wins the match tomorrow, they will also be confirmed for the knockout round of the tournament.
The hosts are currently at number five in their group with six points. If they lose against South Africa, they will have to wait for the outcome of the match between West Indies and India.
The Caribbean Kings lost a closely fought match against England yesterday on Thursday 18^th March. If they lose their final match against the Men-in-Blue, they may be levelled at six points with Bangladesh. The run-rate will come into play at that stage, which may go in the favour of the Windies.
This leaves Bangladesh with one simple scenario; they will have to win their match against the Proteas.
However, the hosts will have to find a way to get rid of the South African openers early. Hashim Amla has been in terrific form in this tournament and he has scored runs consistently for the team. His opening partner and the Proteas captain, Graeme Smith, hasn’t been able to perform for his team until now and he will be looking forward to get some form ahead of the knockout stages.
Jacques Kallis bats as the first-drop for his team and the veteran cricketer has guided his team to a lot of success in the past. He has only managed one fifty in this tournament so far, but he will be eying a big one in his team’s next match.
AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Morne van Wyk bat in the middle-order for their team. Wicketkeeper and batsman, van Wyk, seems to be the only weak link in the line-up, but he also scored some quick runs for his team in the previous game.
However, van Wyk may be replaced by promising youngster Colin Ingram, who showed his class in the match against Ireland. The 25-year-old batsman scored 46 runs off just 43 balls at a crucial stage for his team, and rescued them from trouble.
Other than these batsmen, the lower middle-order has also done a great job for South Africa. Johan Botha, Faf du Plessis and robin Peterson have scored quick runs for their team in the death overs.
Bowlers have also played a vital role in South Africa’s good run in the tournament until now. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have been too hot to handle for the opposition. They have also got good support from spinners Imran Tahir, Johan Botha and Robin Peterson.
It will be a very tough sell for Shakib-Al-Hasan and his men to overcome South Africa. However, some talented players like Imrul Keyes, Junaid Siddique, Tamim Iqbal and Abdur Razzak can prove to be match winners for the home team. In the end, they will have to play their best cricket in order to guide their team to a victory against the hot Proteas.