ICC World Cup 2019, RSA vs BAN match preview: South Africa look for first win after opening game defeat

After crushing defeat at the hands of England in their opening match, South Africa will look to register their first victory of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 when they lock horns with Bangladesh at The Oval, London on Sunday. Although it’s a long tournament and the teams will get enough time to bounce back, South Africa would want to make up for the defeat against England as early as possible to avoid any situation that can threaten their campaign.

On paper, South Africa look way stronger than Bangladesh, ranked seventh in the world, but skipper Faf du Plessis would not take the Asian side, known for creating upsets in the ICC tournaments, lightly.

South Africa do have a little injury concern with Hashim Amla still recovering from the concussion he suffered while batting against England when a bounder by Jofra Archer hit him in the helmet. Dale Steyn, who missed out the opening encounter due to a shoulder niggle, is unlikely to play today as well. However, South Africa won’t be too concerned, at least for now, as they have enough bench strength.

But the injury concern is more complex with Bangaldesh. There is uncertainty over opener Tamim Iqbal playing today’s game, who was hit in the nets on Friday. Their concerns don’t end with this and skipper Mushrafe Mortaza himself has hamstring, while pacer Mustafizur Rahman is also nursing a calf injury.

Despite their warm-up game drubbing against India, Bangladesh, with full strength, can prove to be a hard nut to crack. Their recent form also suggests the same. Of all the teams in the tournament, the Asian side has the fourth best win-loss record in the last 12 months.

Date, Timings and venue of the match: Sunday June 2, 2019; 3:00 PM IST at The Oval, London.

South Africa Probable Squad: Quinton de Kock (Wicket Keeper), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (Skipper), David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, Chris Morris, Andil Phehlukwayo, Kasigo Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir

Bangladesh Probable Squad: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib-al-Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicket Keeper), Mahmadullah, Liton Das, Sabbir Rahman, Mushrafe Mortaza (Skipper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain.