FANTASY PREVIEW
Follow UsTwo wins away from potentially sealing a semi-final spot, South Africa will be taking on Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday in their quest to make it to the final four of the 2021 T20 World Cup. The Proteas started their World Cup campaign with a defeat against Australia, but back-to-back wins have got the Temba Bavuma-led side back on track, with them now second-favorites in Group 1 to progress to the semi-finals.
They will be taking on Bangladesh, who are already all but knocked out of the competition and are yet to open their account in the Super 12 stage.
The Proteas, though, will need to be wary of Bangladesh’s threat, for the Tigers have the knack of pulling off upsets in major tournaments.
Head to Head
Overall
Played - 6 | South Africa - 6 | Bangladesh - 0
Last five matches
South Africa - 5 | Bangladesh - 0
Ground Details
The spicy encounter will be played at the Sheik Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, and it is a venue where batting has been difficult. Starting from Round 1 of this World Cup, the average batting first score has been just 131, and only two times have teams successfully defended a total. One of those instances came in the last match at this venue, where Afghanistan defended 160 against Namibia through a clinical bowling performance. But given Bangladesh are a side that likes to bat first anyway, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we see South Africa chasing on Tuesday.
In terms of bowling, this is a highly pace-friendly venue, and that will massively favor the Proteas. In the last match at this venue, a staggering 11 off the 14 wickets fell to the seamers. Afghanistan are a team that banks on spin, but even they took 8 wickets via pace in what was a clinical showing.
South Africa also have the attack to thrive in spin-friendly conditions, but it goes without saying that they would be itching to throw the ball to their quicks on this Abu Dhabi track.
Suggested Team
The team we've picked has a good mix of world-class batters and bowlers. But remember, while you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Suggested captain
With 110 runs to his name, Aiden Markram, is by some distance, the highest run-getter for South Africa in this World Cup, and in the form he is in, it is a no-brainer to back the dynamic right-hander. Markram has been in sizzling touch in T20Is all year, and he also top-scored for the Proteas the last time they played in Abu Dhabi. Against a Shakib-less Bangladesh attack, expect Markram to wreak havoc.
Our Criclytics Player Projections predict Markram to score between 24-36 runs.
X-factors
Dwaine Pretorius has been used as a death-specialist by the Proteas, and the 32-year-old has been sensational in this Super 12 stage so far. Apart from being the Proteas’ highest wicket-taker of this World Cup, the right-armer is also entering the Bangladesh contest in red-hot form, having picked up back-to-back three wicket hauls. With his cutters, Pretorius will be a menace on the slow Abu Dhabi wicket.
Our Criclytics Player Projections predict Pretorius to take 2-3 wickets on Tuesday.
Anrich Nortje, with five wickets, is the Proteas’s second-highest wicket-taker, but what separates him from the rest is his stunning economy of 5.16. He won South Africa the Windies clash with a staggering spell of 1/14, and with his rockets, he also set-up the game for the Proteas against the Lankans, taking 2/27. Against a Bangladesh side that does not enjoy high pace, expect Nortje to shine bright.
Our Criclytics Player Projections predict Nortje to take 1-2 wickets on Tuesday.
Shoriful Islam has been a valuable addition to the Bangladesh pace attack since his introduction to the side in the England clash, and the left-armer was the pick of the Bangladesh seamers against West Indies, finishing with 2/20 off his 4 overs. Shoriful, with his angle, could cause a lot of trouble to the Proteas batters, so he is someone worth taking a punt on, particularly on a wicket like Abu Dhabi.
Our Criclytics Player Projections predict Shoriful to take between 1-2 wickets on Tuesday.
Key match-up to watch out for
Quinton de Kock has an exceptional record against Mustafizur Rahman, with the southpaw having struck 35 runs off 14 balls he’s faced of the left-armer, at a strike rate of 250. If de Kock does indeed dominate ‘The Fizz’ again, then there is only one side which stands a chance of emerging victorious.
Probable XIs
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma ©, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (c), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed
