Day 5: Tigers show some menace

BANGLADESH could prove vital to seeing South Africa finally win a knockout game in a Cricket World Cup.

They saw off debutants Afghanistan by 105 runs in a match where they were never threatened.

Bangladesh batted first and made 267 and skittled Afghanistan for 162.

The chase stalled before it could get into gear, with the Afghans losing three wickets for three runs within three overs.

Still, it was fantastic to see Afghanistan competing for the first time and theirs is quite a story.

Just to have a cricket team is nothing short of remarkable.

But more about Bangladesh.

With this solid start under the belt, it is not far-fetched to reckon that they could topple England or possibly even Sri Lanka.

If South Africa can win Pool B and Bangladesh finish fourth in Pool A, then a quarter-finals match is on the cards.

They would be preferable opponents to England or Sri Lanka. Of course this is assuming Australia and New Zealand finish in the top two, but it does seem likely.

However, there is absolutely no room for complacency as Bangladesh have beaten SA in a World Cup (in 2007).

And that particular quarter-final match (A4 vs B1) will be played in New Zealand.