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T20 World Cup | SA vs BAN: Underdog at start, Proteas desperate to sustain hard-earned consistency

Mayank Kumar

The buildup

There is no other team that have attracted more headlines for non-cricketing reasons than South Africa and similarly, there is no better side than them that have played like a team in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup.

They haven’t had a batting performance such as of Jos Buttler or bowling performances as of Pakistan or England so far in the tournament, but they have had just enough of good performances, collectively, as a team to stand among one of the firm favourites to qualify for the semi-finals alongside England.

Make no mistake, they were not the favourites to start the tournament as West Indies and England were the two sides expected to emerge of the Group 1 famously described as “group of death”. What they had come into the tournament though was good form, as a unit after a troika of series wins over the Windies, Ireland and Sri Lanka.

If the performances of behemoths such as West Indies and India have highlighted the importance of form in the shortest format and the tournament with such quick turnaround time, South Africa’s rise and rise in the tournament also underlined the need for good form.

They have seen one or two batsmen taking the onus of rising under pressure while the bowling attack has hunted in pairs and the Proteas are all but just one game away from the door of qualification, which will be nothing short of staggering achievement for them.

Their next opponent on the path of qualification are Bangladesh and they have had a complete contrast of a tournament compared to the Proteas.

They have been abominable in the field, timid with the bat and inconsistent with the ball to have any sort of impact on the Super 12 stage of the tournament. They had lost the first game of their tournament that kind of suggested the holes in their promises but the big stage of Super 12 has clearly ripped open all the faultlines in their side.

Now, they are already without their biggest superstar and are pushed against the wall just to salvage some pride as the race for the qualification to semi-finals has already finished for them.

Match details

South Africa vs Bangladesh, 

Match no.: 30, Super 12 Group 1

Date and Time: November 02, 02:00 PM LOCAL, 03:30 IST, 10:00 GMT

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Pitch details

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi has not been as tricker to bat as the other two pitches in the UAE and stroke makes on both sides should relish the true nature of the surface.

However, as this is a day game, the dew factor will be out of the equation and spinners will come in hand for the teams. Bangladesh spinners, in general, would have been considered a better exponents of bowling in spin-friendly conditions but the rise of Tabraiz Shamsi gives South Africa a sort of edge they rarely enjoy in spinning conditions.

There have been too many games this tournament that has been decided virtually by the flip of the coin but batsmen can trust themselves to get the chasing job done here in Abu Dhabi.

Team News

South Africa

There were injury concerns for South Africa as both the heroes of the last game—David Miller and Shamsi under the scanner, but there is no communication from the Proteas side which could imply they are fit to go.

If they are fit and raring to go, South Africa should not be looking to alter the playing XI and instead will be hoping for the return of form for Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen that will make their batting unit look stronger, both on paper and on the field.

Probable XI

Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

Bangladesh

Bangladesh have been jolted by the injury to Shakib Al Hasan and they will have to rely on the other two experienced batsmen—skipper Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim to do the heavy lifting. 

Their coach Russell Domingo has confirmed that Shamim Hossain will replace Shakib and is likely to bat lower down the order putting greater onus on the likes of Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das and the experienced pros.

There were signs of Liton Das coming back to some rhythm and the Bangla Tigers would be hoping he will get his mojo and timing back.

Probable XI

Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das (WK), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (C), Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

CE Fantasy XI

Quinton de Kock (WK), Mushfiqur Rahim, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Mohammad Naim, Dwaine Pretorious, Shoriful Islam, Tabraiz Shamsi, Nasum Ahmed

Captain: Aiden Markram

Vice-captain: Anrich Nortje

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