Today is the 3rd match for both the teams. Bangladesh had lost the previous two with an wide margin. So this match they are eager to put a convincing performance. Rahul Bhattacharya writes in cricinfo about the rise of Bangladesh cricket.

Bangladesh has lost the toss and put to bat by SA. After 5 overs Bangladesh is 13 for no wicket. Tamim Iqbal was dropped by Justin Kemp off NTini in the slips. I think he should capitalize on that. Bangladesh needs to put a decent score( I think 250 may be a defendable one) to put SA in pressure.

(picture courtesy Arup)

10 Overs: Bangladesh 36/0 - Tamim and Javed are playing well. Frustrations for SA as they could not get a breakthrough. Bangladesh need sthis partnership to build on.

17.1 Overs: Bangladesh 59/2 as Bashar goes cheaply. A good reactionary catch from Andre Nel that did the damage. Else this is the start Bangladesh would have expected. Its up to Tamim and Sakib to build a good partnership to keep Bangladesh's hopes alive.

27 Overs: Bangladesh 100/4 as Ashraful and Aftab steadying the innings. Just a couple of wickets too many for Bangladesh. Lets see where they take Bangladesh.

37 Overs: Bangladesh 158/4 and Aftab is playing a cameo. He has struck two beautiful sixes. The next 10 overs will be crucial for Bangladesh.

47 Overs: Bangladesh 233 for Six. Ashraful is on 75 and Mashrafe Murtaza is hitting the ball like a baseball. So we should see a score of somewhere around 260.

Bangladesh did not reach 260 but 251 seems a very good total. Ashraful played a wonderful knock of 87 and Andre Nel got 5 wickets for 45 runs.

I was busy so I could not see the game for a while. But what a game this has been.

South Africa tottering at 140/8 after 39 overs. Literally Bangladesh is Gibbs away from victory. That means only Hershel Gibbs of SA is the batsmen who can take SA home (although how tough it seems at a asking rate of 11 runs per over).

So its all over. Bangladesh has beaten the number 1 team as per the ICC rankings and convincingly with 67 runs. Its party time for Bangladesh.

It has been a spinner's game. Just see the stats:

Abdur Razzak 9.4 - 1 - 25 - 3 - 2.58
Mohammad Rafique 10 - 2 - 22 - 1 - 2.20

A dream stat for any bowler and any team.

Martin Gough writes in BBC Blog "Bangladesh Tigers come of age":

"Bangladesh would still have to beat England and West Indies to clinch a semi-final spot but they have at least ended years of being viewed as also-rans."

Tags: Cricket World Cup 2007, Bangladesh, South Africa, Live Blogging