India and South Africa enter World Cup semi-finals: Habibul Bashar

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India started their World T20 campaign with a bang after beating arch-rivals Pakistan in a nerve-wracking encounter at a sold-out MCG on October 23. While Pakistani fans will be disappointed after this defeat, they will be hoping to make it to the knockout stages of the tournament. However, former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar picks India and South Africa as the two semi-finalists from Group 2.

Four of the six nations in Group 2 have already played their first matches, with South Africa and Zimbabwe set to clash in an all-Africa clash in Hobart. India and Bangladesh are quite good with two points each, while Pakistan and Holland have zero points after losing their opening matches.

Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar in a chat with CricTracker. The former cricketer feels that even though Pakistan have a lethal bowling line-up, their batting leaves a lot to be desired at times. In comparison, he believes South Africa have a much better squad balance with experienced world-class players in both departments of the game.

“Pakistan played a very good game. They have good bowling line-up but not batting line-up. But South Africa has a very good bowling line-up as well as batting line-up. So, if you ask me, I see South Africa and India making it to the semi-finals from this group,” Bashar said on BatBricks7 Presents Run Ki Runneeti Show on CricTracker.

South Africa have one of the best bowling attacks in the World Cup: Cobus Olivier

Former South African cricketer Kobus Oliver, who was also one of the guests on the panel, felt that the current South African pace attack was one of the best in the current tournament. He believes the Australian conditions will suit their game and give the Proteas an edge over their opponents.

“I think the South African attack in this whole tournament on the Australian wickets, I rate it as one of the best bowling attacks in this World Cup,” Oliver told CricTracker.