I am waiting to enjoy an exciting semi-final. Actually, I sense a ‘war’ where in-form South Africa and New Zealand are the two sides. I think ‘mental fight’ will have a great impact in the match, rather than the fight with bat and ball. New Zealand will get extra advantage as home side, but South Africa will also try their best to remove their ‘Chokers’ tag.

The double-century of Martin Guptill in the quarter-final has largely geared the confidence of New Zealand up which will have a great impact in the semi-final.

I want to give equal points to both the teams in all departments of batting, bowling and fielding.

New Zealand have Guptill, Brandon McCullum and Corey Anderson. Similarly, South Africans have batsmen like AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis.

The bowlers of both teams are doing well in the World Cup.

South African bowlers demolished the strong batting line-up of Sri Lanka in the quarter-final. But the possibility of the same occurrence in the semi-final is much less as the Kiwis are consistently batting well.

My support will be on the South African side. I want them to win. Proteas may secure their final berth in the World Cup for the first time if they can play without taking any pressure. 

Minhajul Abedin Nannu: Selector of Bangladesh Cricket Board and former captain of Bangladesh cricket team. He is the first Man of the Match of Bangladesh in World Cup.

Translated by Bijoy Chandra Shaha