South Africa perhaps made one crucial error with their bowling options. They had too many similar-looking bowlers and the only variation was offered by Graeme Smith. Justin Kemp, who was supposed to be the next big thing after Lance Klusener has hardly delivered. His bowling has been hit around and batting has failed more often than not.
Interestingly, the Bangladeshis managed a tight stranglehold over the South African batsmen as runs dried up after the 15th over with the fall of Jacques Kallis’ wicket. The question is really whether South Africa batted badly or Bangladesh bowled and fielded outstandingly. The credit has to go to Bangladesh and proof of them being the better team on the day are the two run-outs of Ashwell Prince and Shaun Pollock; both direct hits under great pressure.
With this loss, South Africa is in danger of not making the semi-final. If England can beat Australia and South Africa, they could well eliminated South Africa and all thanks to the giant killers from Bangladesh!
On his team's performance against South Africa
'Any international win is a massive win for Bangladesh, but we're still in contention so it was a must-win game. I'm delighted with how the boys played today' - 'We just needed to put some runs on the board and if we can do that, we know that the bowlers have the capacity to do the job.
Man of the Match - Mohammad Ashraful
On his team's overall performance
'This game is all about teamwork,' 'We managed to get to 251 and then our bowlers bowled really well, especially the three spinners. When I came in with three wickets down early on, I had a plan to bat and stay in,' he said.
On his batting strategy
'We have a plan that one of the top six has to bat until the 46th over and I had to do that. But Aftab Ahmed and Mashrafe Mortaza played really well too, Aftab was very unlucky when he got out.'
South African skipper, Graeme Smith
On their poor basic strategy
'Our last 10 overs were poor, we never got our discipline right and our basics throughout were poor. If you can't get your basics right you can't expect to win games,'
On their disappointment after the loss
'We didn't play any kind of cricket that we're capable of and it's hard to take a positive out of any facet of the game. We've just got to take our pain. It is a big loss and we're hugely disappointed.'
