ICC World Cup 2019 Match 5, South Africa vs Bangladesh: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

The last time Bangladesh played ODIs before the World Cup, they won their first ever multi-nation tournament, in Ireland, also featuring the hosts and a second-string West Indies. The battering they took against India should not matter too much.

What they should be bothered about are the injuries to captain Mashrafe Mortaza and Tamim Iqbal. To make things worse, Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman have picked up injuries of late – though both will feature in Sunday’s match, as will Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah.

But then, injury problems plague South Africa as well. They have already lost Anrich Nortje, while Dale Steyn is likely to miss the Bangladesh match. Despite copping a blow on his head in the England match, however, Hashim Amla will feature.

South Africa took away several positives from the England match. Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen impressed in their fifties, while Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Imran Tahir did a decent job against a brutal batting line-up on a flat track – the same ground where they will play Bangladesh.

The three men, however, had lacked support. South Africa will probably want to rope Chris Morris in ahead of Dwaine Pretorius this time.

Head to head

South Africa hold a 17-3 lead over Bangladesh, though the difference comes down to 2-1 in World Cup cricket. South Africa had thrashed Bangladesh by 10 wickets in 2003 and by 206 runs in 2011, but the latter had pulled off an upset in 2007, winning by 67 runs.

The sides had last met in 2017-18, in South Africa: the hosts had won by 10 wickets, 104 runs, and 200 runs.

Key players

Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa): Van der Dussen is not quite AB de Villiers, but he has had a wonderful start to his ODI career. More solid than spectacular, he has held the middle order together in his brief 10-match career. An average of 80.60 is telling.

Mohammad Saifuddin (Bangladesh): Steady with ball and durable with bat, Saifuddin has been earmarked as one for the future. Bangladesh’s most economical seamer in the Ireland Tri-Series, Saifuddin did not flinch during the match against India, bowling to a tight line and length amidst the carnage.

Likely XIs

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (c), Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Mustafizur Rahman.

Prediction

The South African pacers to bowl their side to a win,