Where Bangladesh Stand
Bangladesh’s chances of earning their first win of the T20 World Cup by beating South Africa in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday were too less before Sunday, when they decreased still further with Shakib Al Hasan’s elimination from the rest of the tournament because of a hamstring injury.
The removal from the equation of the key allrounder was the worst possible news for a side who have struggled to defeat against Sri Lanka, England and West Indies. That’s especially considering they’re up against opponents who, after going down to Australia, beat the Windies and the Lankans.
For Bangladesh, Tuesday’s match is a dead rubber in all but name: barring mathematical miracles they are already out of the contention for the semis. And yet, it might have been different. England beat them properly, by eight wickets with 35 balls to spare. But the Lankans got home with only seven balls to spare and the Windies by a marginal three runs.
Where South Africa stand
The South Africans have also emerged, apparently unchanged, from the crisis that erupted when Quinton de Kock pulled out of the game against the West Indians in Dubai last Tuesday rather than comply with a board directive to take a knee.
If momentum exists in sport beyond the level of experts casting about for something to say to earn their keep, it’s with Temba Bavuma’s team as they look to take another step towards what seemed, before the tournament, the unattainable goal of reaching the semi-finals.
The South Africans have had the exact opposite experience. Australia scrambled to victory with just two deliveries remaining, and they beat the Windies and the Lankans with 10 balls and a single delivery unbowled. Consequently, rather than relying on one or two stars they are building a can-do culture that involves several players contributing their part. The mere fact that they won without De Kock, who withdrew on the morning of the West Indies match, proved how strong they are as a team.
Fantasy Tips
My Team Suggestion for You: Quinton de Kock (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Temba Bavuma, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Mohammad Naim, Dwaine Pretorious, Aiden Markram, Shoriful Islam, Tabraiz Shamsi, Nasum Ahmed, Anrich Nortje (vc)
Captain: Quinton de Kock
de Kock seems to be on the verge of playing a huge inning and he has played well against Bangladesh in the past recording scores of 59(44) and 44(31) in his last two clashes.
Vice-captain: Anrich Nortje
He has picked more than one wicket in four of his last five games in Abu Dhabi. What other reason do you want?
Quotes:
“Obviously the boys are gutted. They know the expectation back home is high. They know the media interest is high. They probably feel they’ve let a few people down in terms of not crossing the line.” – Bangladesh Head Coach
“I’m trying to make sure I’m bowling to the batter’s plan C and D instead of their plan A. It’s not an ego battle out there; it’s trying to be as effective as possible. If I can do a job for the team and put us in a better situation, I’m willing to do that ugly job. It doesn’t always look the prettiest, but when it works it’s very effective.” – Dwaine Pretorius.
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