South Africa will aim to secure their third consecutive victory when they face a spirited Bangladesh in the 21st match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in New York on Monday, June 10. Both teams come into this match unbeaten in the ninth edition of the tournament and will strive for an additional two points to enhance their chances of progressing to the Super 8 stage.
South Africa has enjoyed a strong start in this World Cup, registering two exhilarating wins in their first two matches to seize an early lead in Group D. Their bowling unit has been particularly impressive, successfully dismissing Sri Lanka for just 77 runs and the Netherlands for 103 runs. However, the Proteas’ batting lineup has shown vulnerabilities, struggling to chase down these relatively modest totals.
Conversely, Bangladesh also started strongly, defeating their regional rivals Sri Lanka in a commanding fashion. They now eye a spot in the Super 8, buoyed by their performance. Under the leadership of Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Bangladeshi side will be looking to reverse their fortunes against South Africa, a team they have historically struggled against. Bangladesh has lost all eight of their past T20I encounters with South Africa, including a heavy 104-run defeat in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
The pitches at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have so far provided significant help to the bowlers in this tournament. With all four drop-in pitches remaining relatively fresh after the first four matches, pace bowlers have dominated proceedings, keeping scoring low. South Africa’s bowlers exploited these conditions masterfully, restricting Sri Lanka to 77 and the Netherlands to 103 during their matches at this venue. These successful bowling performances were followed by some challenges in chasing the totals, hinting at a potential low-scoring encounter once again when these two teams meet on Monday.
The statistics from previous matches at this venue reinforce the expectation of a bowler-friendly game. Out of the four T20I matches played, the team bowling first has won three times, while only once has the team batting first emerged victorious.
. The average first innings score stands at 103, and the average second innings score is just a notch lower at 102. This underlines the challenges teams are likely to face while batting.
Among the highest totals recorded, Canada’s 137/7 against Ireland stands out, while South Africa’s chase of 106/6 against the Netherlands marks the highest successful chase. Conversely, the lowest total defended at this ground was Canada’s 137/7 against Ireland, underscoring the competitive nature of the venue. Notably, Sri Lanka was bundled out for a mere 77 by South Africa, showcasing the perils that teams face from high-quality bowling attacks on these pitches.
Looking ahead to this crucial match, South Africa is expected to field a strong lineup with Quinton de Kock donning the wicketkeeper’s gloves and opening alongside Reeza Hendricks. Skipper Aiden Markram will anchor the middle order, supported by Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller. The Proteas’ bowling attack will feature the likes of Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Ottneil Baartman.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will likely rely on the opening pair of Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar to provide a solid start. Wicketkeeper Litton Das is expected to add stability to the middle order, which will be bolstered by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, and the experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Mahmudullah, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib will form the backbone of the Bangladeshi bowling attack.
Both teams will undoubtedly look to leverage the bowler-friendly conditions at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium to their advantage. While South Africa aims to maintain its winning streak and further secure its dominance in Group D, Bangladesh will be eager to put an end to their losing streak against the Proteas and move closer to securing a spot in the Super 8.
As fans eagerly await this much-anticipated clash, another captivating day of cricket is on the horizon – one that promises to add another exciting chapter to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup narrative.
