Image Credit- ICC
When South Africa plays Bangladesh in New York during the T20 World Cup 2024, they have a fantastic chance to solidify their lead in Group D. South Africa is favoured by numerous reasons. In T20Is, they have never lost to Bangladesh. They have played both of their games in this location in New York, so they are familiar with it.
Although it was more than a week ago, Bangladesh did play their warm-up match against India in New York. They have confidence in their bowling assault, but their top-order batting is still questionable; this was the area where their victory over Sri Lanka fell short.
Despite winning consecutive games, South Africa hasn’t appeared like a cohesive team either. Their issues are comparable.
They limited the Netherlands to 103 for 9 and knocked out Sri Lanka for 77, but South Africa’s top order is still looking for runs. Thus far, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, and Reeza Hendricks have a combined average of 13 (39 runs from six innings). Because they were chasing minor targets, they were able to reach the target in each of their victories with relative ease.
However, South Africa’s bowlers have been playing excellently. Particularly Anrich Nortje and Ottneil Baartman have taken wickets, and they have been well-supported by Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. Although Keshav Maharaj has also contributed, spin hasn’t posed much of a threat in New York thus far.
The quicks from Bangladesh also joined the party in opposition to Sri Lanka. In the match, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain took up the Player-of-the-Match title with a 3 for 22, Tanzim Hasan had his moments, and Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman were excellent every time they bowled. He gave the ball a lot of spin while gradually changing his tempo. However, Shakib Al Hasan hasn’t played very well with the ball since arriving in the United States in mid-May.
In terms of their batting, Litton Das’ 36 against Sri Lanka might give him some confidence, but Tanzid Hasan needs to make runs on a big platform. Soumya Sarkar and Najmul Hossain Shanto are still being dismissed for soft balls.
In a low-scoring match against Sri Lanka in Dallas, Towhid Hridoy’s four sixes made all the difference. He is rapidly building up his reputation as a powerful hitter. In his fifteen months of international cricket, Hridoy has hit 42 sixes, easily the most of any batter from Bangladesh.
Anrich Nortje is gradually regaining his rhythm following a protracted absence due to injuries. After cooling off in the IPL 2024, he failed to score a single wicket in two Caribbean T20Is. He has, however, been on target thus far in the T20 World Cup, charging hitters with great bounce and speed. Having taken 4 for 10 against Bangladesh in Sydney during the 2022 T20 World Cup, Nortje also has pleasant recollections of that team.