ICC World Cup 2019: Match 5, South Africa vs Bangladesh, Preview – Ambitious Tigers to take baby steps towards their biggest dream

Both sides are capable of beating each other, but history and balance swings in favor of the Proteas ever so slightly.

Published - 01 Jun 2019, 13:24 IST | Updated - 01 Jun 2019, 13:24 IST

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They didn’t get off to the finest starts, but South Africa always is a major threat which cannot be undermined. The manner of their loss to England was unexpected, especially the middle order collapse. One of the best things about such long tournaments is there is always enough time to recover and get back on their feet.

The Tigers enter the tournament with ambitions bigger than ever before. They don’t seem to be threatened by the histories and strengths of their opponents having built their own identity in recent years. They’d definitely want to build on the confidence they incurred through the Tri-series win against West Indies and Ireland.

The overall record between these two sides is heavily in favour of the South African side, but they will be wary of the defeat which was inflicted on them when they travelled to Bangladesh some years ago. Both sides are capable of beating each other, but history and balance swings in favour of the Proteas ever so slightly.

Playing combinations

South Africa

Amla suffered a blow on the head last game but he will be fine to get back for this fixture. No changes are expected in the XI and the skipper will be expecting better contributions with the bat from JP Duminy and Aiden Markram. Imran Tahir had an outstanding game alongside Lungi Ngidi and they’d be hoping for their stalwart Kagiso Rabada to get among the wickets this game. Pretorious and Phehlukwayo are the other bowling options.

Predicted XI

Quinton de Kock (WK), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (C), Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir

Bangladesh

Wrist injury for Tamim Iqbal is a huge concern for the side and if he doesn’t play, Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar will open the innings. The experienced trio in the middle order constituting Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah is their biggest strength. Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mustafizur Rahman are the other players carrying some injuries but are expected to feature in the XI.

Predicted XI

Tamim Iqbal/Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mohammad Saifuddin, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

Focus will be on

Aiden Markram (South Africa)

One of the most exciting young talents in the South African ranks right now, Aiden Markram might not be batting in the position he loves but it is imperative for the side that he performs well. He has shown his class as an opener and what he is capable of once he settles in, but it will take a monumental mental effort from the youngster to get going and produce match-winning contributions at this level.

Soumya Sarkar (Bangladesh)

Soumya Sarkar has been around with the side for a long time now and he needs to start stepping up as a senior player. He is inching closer to the 1,500-mark in ODIs and perhaps could get there in this game. The attacking opener still has no confirmation as to who will open alongside him, but he is used to not having a regular partner and can put up a show regardless of who he is batting with.