Tigers bank on good record against Proteas

Bangladesh won three out of the last four ODIs against South Africa and in the World Cup, the Tigers beat them in two of the last three encounters. They had a strong recent record against India as well but were absolutely blown away by the hosts on Thursday, and given the form South Africa are in right now, it won't be wrong to say that Bangladesh are going to face their toughest challenge in the ongoing World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday. 

After a rosy start to the campaign with a win over Afghanistan, Bangladesh had to face three giants - holders England, two-time finalists New Zealand and hosts India. They were not favourites to win any of them but the way they lost these matches raised a lot of questions. 

Bangladesh went into the World Cup with a lot of expectations, especially after finishing the ICC World Cup Super League with the second-most wins (15 out of 24). 

Only New Zealand won more in the cycle and with the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah playing their last World Cup, fans back home expected the team to put up a strong fight for a semifinal spot.

But they have now found themselves in a big hole and if they lose their next match against the Proteas, they will be all but out of the tournament. 

In tournaments like this, consistency is often the key, something Bangladesh are struggling to find. Fitness has emerged as an issue as well. Regular skipper Shakib missed the previous match against India with a left quad injury and the severity of his injury is still unknown. 

Local media reported that premier fast bowler Taskin Ahmed is also suffering from a shoulder injury and it could be the reason why he did not look a hundred percent in the first three matches.

Their batting remains a big cause of concern. They batted first in the last three matches but couldn't cross 260 in any of them. The reason behind this is that no Bangladesh batter is able to convert starts to big scores. The highest individual score in the tournament for any Bangladesh batter is 76. 

Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the Netherlands are the only three teams not to have a hundred in this year's World Cup which tells a lot about their batting form.

Runs are the only currency when you are up against South Africa, who have the strongest middle order in the game, according to their former captain Graeme Smith. Four of their top six already have at least one hundred in the competition and their run rate in this World Cup has been 6.97, comfortably the highest for any team.

Their bowling has been impressive as well, particularly with the new and the semi-new ball. They have taken 23 wickets in the first 20 overs in the tournament, 5.75 per game and their four express quicks will surely test the technique and temperament of Bangladesh, who are the worst batting side in the tournament in terms of run rate.

England captain Jos Buttler left to rue his decision to put South Africa into bat after winning the toss in Mumbai. England bowlers and fielders had a really bad day in the scorching heat with David Willey, one of the fittest players, suffering from cramps.

Big-hitter Heinrich Klaasen said the experience of batting under the sun was like playing "in a sauna". So the heat of Mumbai will be in focus as well.

The short boundary favoured the Protea power-hitters on Saturday and the Bangladesh bowlers will find it challenging to keep them quiet. 

Bangladesh missed Shakib big time, especially while bowling against India. He won two Player of the Match awards in their last three wins over South Africa and if he continues to be out of action, it will be hard work again for the Asian side.

Shakib's counterpart Temba Bavuma missed out against England but his replacement Reeza Hendricks hit a superb 85 given an opportunity.

Bangladesh are the only Asian side to beat the Proteas multiple times in the World Cup and will be desperate to repeat their 2007 and 2019 heroics. They will take heart from the Netherlands' surprise win over the Proteas last week and hope that they can pull off something similar.