Bangladesh out to stop South African juggernaut in Mumbai
It Takes One Day: Episode 23: preview of South Africa v Bangladesh at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 with former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock and ICC Digital Insider Tanvi Shah
Tuesday 24 October, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Bangladesh are approaching must-win territory in their campaign, but face a tough test at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.
South Africa lit up the Mumbai ground against England at the weekend, producing one of the biggest hammerings of the tournament so far.
Mushfiqur Rahim has been part of Bangladesh's most rousing World Cup victories but the veteran keeper-batter is eager to add more at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
And for Bangladesh the test will be how they can limit a batting order that have blitzed three out of the four bowling attacks they’ve faced so far in India.
For the Proteas, another win would strengthen their grip on a semi-final spot.
Bangladesh have defeated South Africa in their past two meetings at the Cricket World Cup and will be hoping inspirational skipper Shakib Al Hasan can shake off his injury concerns and be fit to take on the Proteas.
South Africa batter Heinrich Klaasen on his stirring century against England and making an impact at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Behind the scenes in the changerooms as former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock looks at match-day preparations and superstitions at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
Bangladesh – Shakib Al Hasan
The Bangladesh skipper was missing last time out for his team and it showed, with both batting and bowling looking significantly underpowered without the classy all-rounder.
A fit and firing Shakib is going to be vital if Bangladesh are to stand a chance of pulling off a string of upsets to make the semi-finals.
But even in the short term, Shakib’s experience will be extremely useful against such an in-form opponent.
Match preview with South Africa batter Heinrich Klaasen and coach Rob Walter, and Bangladesh keeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim and assistant coach Nic Pothas, at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
South Africa – Quinton de Kock
Fast starts were key to each of South Africa’s two opening wins, with the excellent Quinton de Kock laying the foundations for his team’s huge totals on both occasions.
He didn’t fire against England for once, but his 84-ball century against Sri Lanka was classy enough on its own, never mind the platform it set for his team’s big-hitting middle order. And he was at it again against Australia with another ton, once again scored at better than a run-a-ball.
South Africa’s numbers four to six are immensely powerful, but they need a platform to launch off, and De Kock is usually key man to build that.