Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 5: Bangladesh v South Africa Preview Dream11. BAN vs SA Preview Dream11 Prediction

A 10-team World Cup was supposed to reduce one-sided games, right? A tournament of established teams surely means one cracking match after another? After four straight one-sided games, not quite.

There is an argument Afghanistan, pound-for-pound, put up the best fight. South Africa had their moments against England, but their batting concerns came to the fore. Life at the 2019 World Cup began with Imran Tahir giving Usain Bolt a run for his money at The Oval, which was then followed by an honest South African bowling effort. However, the decision to leave out David Miller was a key talking point after the match, with the Proteas struggling to find any impetus in their batting after Quinton de Kock was out. Can they bounce back today ahead of a meeting with India on Wednesday?

Bangladesh, a team that many feel can’t be ignored, begin their campaign today. Mashrafe Mortaza, likely in his last days as an international cricketer, is set to play despite a hamstring strain. If the Bangladeshi players forget his influence, they have received a stark reminder. They have a few other injury concerns, most notably Tamim Iqbal (wrist), but their ability to keep a strong level of performance throughout the match will still be in question here. Can they make a dream start?

Also read: 5 key talking points from South Africa’s first up loss

Key to a Bangladesh win

Tamim Iqbal is one of various Bangladesh players to have an injury concern. He was reportedly in pain batting in the nets on the eve of the match. So, today is an opportunity for Bangladesh to display some grit and push on against the odds a little, challenging the South Africans on all fronts. One area they will want to nail today is their batting, overcoming South Africa’s threat with the new ball via the in-form Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan and possibly Tamim. Then, Bangladesh’s middle order has enough experience to build on a platform. However, can the Tigers put on a good show for the full 50 overs? This question comes to mind thinking of the 2017 Champions Trophy, where they had plenty of good moments, followed by some poor ones.

Also, Bangladesh will be right in the game if they see the back of Quinton de Kock early. Mustafizur Rahman has enjoyed success against de Kock in the past, and if the Tigers can do so again, it puts significant pressure on skipper Faf du Plessis. South Africa’s two best batsmen have contributed 40% of their runs in ODIs this year, so much depends on how much pressure Bangladesh can build on these two, as well as how they transfer pressure over to the rest of the South African lineup, under pressure after an under-par display against England.

Key to a South Africa win

South Africa still showed enough at The Oval to be considered a Semi Finals contender. Their effort to restrict England to just over a run-a-ball in the end was a positive start to their campaign. A key tactic South Africa could employ today is re-opening the Bangladesh wounds when it comes to short-pitched bowling. It has been the World Cup for the short ball so far, and with Bangladesh struggling against this type of bowling in the past, you certainly wouldn’t put it past Faf du Plessis to employ the kind of tactics West Indies did against Pakistan. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will be his wicket-taking threats, and so too Imran Tahir as he could come up against Bangladesh batsmen looking for an escape route.

Also read: 5 key talking points from South Africa’s first up loss

Also, surely David Miller returns for South Africa? Apart from his good record in World Cups, South Africa need an injection of power to overcome a symptom of ‘sameness’ in their batting lineup. Of course, much still rests on Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis, but others have to put their hand up as well. Hashim Amla has a superb record vs Bangladesh, but he is in doubt for today’s clash after a blow to the head against England. So, if it’s Aiden Markram at the top, can he deliver the innings we know he can in ODIs? Can Rassie van der Dussen continue his impressive start to his international career? The equation for South Africa is pretty simple: ensure the middle order has a strong platform to play off.

Pitch and conditions

The same pitch used in the England-South Africa game will be used today. So, watch out for cutters and bowling into the pitch – perfect for Mustafizur Rahman in particular. Conditions will be mostly cloudy, so bowlers could get some assistance in the air as well as off a pitch with still some greenish tinge.

Also read: 3 good changes to see after the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Possible Playing 11

It remains to be seen whether Tamim Iqbal plays. If not, then the inconsistent Liton Das will replace him. Mashrafe Mortaza (hamstring), Mustafizur Rahman (back) and Mohammad Saifuddin (calf) all have niggles too. Also, do Bangladesh go with Mosaddek Hossain, who hit a terrific 20-ball 50 recently vs West Indies, or Sabbir Rahman?

Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal/Liton Das, 2. Soumya Sarkar, 3. Shakib Al Hasan, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Mohammad Mithun, 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Mosaddek Hossain, 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Mashrafe Mortaza (c), 10. Mustafizur Rahman, 11. Rubel Hossain/Mohammad Saifuddin

If Hashim Amla is not fit for this match, Aiden Markram could be sent to open. That will pave the way for David Miller to return. Also, Dale Steyn is one game away from a return.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Aiden Markram, 3. Faf du Plessis (c), 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. David Miller, 6. JP Duminy, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Dwaine Pretorius, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Imran Tahir

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head in World Cups: Matches 3, Bangladesh 1, South Africa 2.
• The last meeting between these sides in a World Cup saw South Africa bundle Bangladesh out of the group stage with a huge 206-run win in 2011.
• Quinton de Kock (810) has the most ODI runs for South Africa in the last year. Second is Faf du Plessis. Third is Reeza Hendricks, who isn’t even in South Africa’s World Cup squad.
• Among nations at this World Cup, Mustafizur Rahman has the best strike rate in ODIs since the last World Cup (min. 20 innings: 27.4).
• Shakib Al Hasan needs one wicket to become the fastest to the 250 wickets-5000 runs double in ODIs.
• Imran Tahir is set to play his 100th ODI.

Match Prediction

A close game awaiting us? Perhaps.

South Africa would be hurting after their loss to England. Bangladesh certainly have it in them to cause the Proteas a problem or two. A Tigers win would not be a shock, but South Africa might just have enough to get an important win.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: 3 good changes to see after the 2019 Cricket World Cup.