NEWS
Follow UsWith two wins in two games, South Africa entered the contest against Bangladesh on scintillating form, aiming for sealing the second spot in Group One. Winning the toss, skipper Temba Bavuma opted to bowl first in conditions that looked perfect for the seamers, with sufficient seam movement to trouble the batters.
In the most perfect of pace bowling conditions, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada wrecked the Bangladesh top-order, picking up three wickets, all in the powerplay stage. Post the match, Rabada admitted that it was nice to see some swing and seam in the shortest format at the venue.
“The wicket obviously favoured the seamers and I am just glad that today was my day. Every time we had the opportunity to practice, we try and implement whatever could work for us. We always train hard and today it paid off. It's nice to see some swing again especially in the T20 format,” Rabada stated in the post-match presentation.
“But having played a few IPL games here, we have seen quite a bit of movement especially with the new ball. It wasn't a surprise that this wicket did that because it's been doing that at times for quite a period,” he added.
Rabada also stated that the conditions in Abu Dhabi was two-paced, with some deliveries buzzing through while the others have stayed low. The pacer also credited his pace partner Anrich Nortje, admitting that the lanky pacer has worked extremely hard in the nets, which has helped him during his meteoric rise in world cricket.
“We have played one game in Dubai, but from what I understand, definitely it looks like there's a bit of bounce here. Some balls skid through, it's a bit two-paced and there's some good pace, some balls just take off. To me it seems like it's the quickest.”
“He (Nortje) has been in form for a long time now. He's just riding the wave and I am so happy for him. He works extremely hard and his hard work is paying off. It's great to be bowling with him.”
South Africa’s last encounter in the Super 12 is against a rampant England side, which has won four out of their four contests, on Saturday (November 6).