Image Credit- AFP
Who wants to play against the team that just crushed
399? Additionally, they did it in the venue. Bangladesh has that opportunity as
they take against a South African team that just defeated the defending
champions, England, on Saturday. Or are they fresh, given the sweltering heat
in Mumbai?
South Africa is comfortably ranked third in the points
table with three victories in their last four games. Additionally, they hold
the best net run rate in the competition thanks to their commanding victories
by scores of 102 runs against Sri Lanka, 134 runs against Australia, and 229
runs against England.
Every time South Africa has batted first in this World
Cup, they have scored 300 or more runs, with their top order providing a solid
foundation for a good finish, as Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen
devastatingly demonstrated at the Wankhede.
The batting lineups of Sri Lanka, Australia, and
England were all eliminated by their pace-heavy bowling assault, which also
included left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco
Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee. They only failed in both categories when they
bowled first against the Netherlands.
Bangladesh is finding it difficult to be a genuine
contender after losing three games – to England, New Zealand, and India – after
an opening triumph against Afghanistan. In contrast, South Africa is
well-positioned to compete for a semi-final spot. They are one of five clubs
with just one victory after four games, and another loss will almost probably
put an end to their tenuous chances of making it to the playoffs.
Their strongest batter has been Mushfiqur Rahim, but
the middle order batsmen Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, and Mehidy Hasan
Miraz have all struggled to make an impact. After a rocky start to his international
career, Tanzid Hasan got a fifty against India, while Litton Das has fluctuated
at the top of the order. It is crucial that Shakib Al Hasan, who missed their
previous match against India due to a niggle, be cleared to play because
Bangladesh would be playing without Taskin Ahmed once more due to injury.