Veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has said that Shakib Al Hasan’s continued poor form with the bat hurt Bangladesh in their 2024 World Cup defeat to South Africa as well. He also added that four denied leg-byes potentially cost them the match as well. However, Bangladesh restricted South Africa to 113/6 after South Africa opted to bat first in New York on Monday, June 10. Shakib scored just three runs off four balls as Bangladesh managed 109/7 in reply to lose the game by four runs.
Reviewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “This had to happen one day, that there would be a DRS call, and the match would turn totally, and that’s exactly what has happened. Mahmudullah Riyad was probably on strike at that stage, you didn’t get the runs you should have got, and you lost by as many runs. The one area where they are getting let down is Shakib Al Hasan, whether it is with the ball or bat. He didn’t score runs in this match as well and that is hurting this team. The chase should have happened but they (South Africa) managed it beautifully, whether it was Anrich Nortje, (Ottneil) Baartman or (Kagiso) Rabada, or (Marco) Jansen’s economy. They had the wares if we talk about this pitch.”
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However, Mahmadullah was ruled out leg-before by the on-field umpire in the 17th over of Bangladesh’s innings, with the ball going to the boundary after hitting the pads as well. Although the LBW decision was reversed on review, the ball is declaired dead once the batter is given out as well.
“The truth is that South Africa have looked the best team if we talk about this group of death. They also decided to bat first after winning the toss, which you generally don’t expect, but then some hopes have been raised with India winning after batting first, and they went with that hope. No one is able to open. No one is able to play against the new ball. However, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller made crucial contributions. They took the team forward. Tanzim was very, very good. Bangladesh’s bowling has been good. They have good fast bowling,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
