Proteas test for the Bangla Tigers

Can Faf deliver again?

Bangladesh have been playing some wonderful cricket in the past 2 months. The One-Day whitewash win over Pakistan and the 2-1 win over India has pushed their repuation higher. These victories have definitely lifted their morale and they have renowned their aggressive brand of cricket.

South Africa, after their heart-breaking World Cup Semi-final exit, made a good start in the first T20. They have rested many of their prime players, particularly the bowlers (Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Imran Tahir) for this T20 series. The batting line-up of the African team looks solid as ever, with AB De Villiers taking the opener's role.

The first T20 was a test for this famed South African batting lineup, with the pitch being very slow. There was sharp spin for the Bangla spinners and the bounce was unpredictable. Captain Faf Du Plessis scored a match-winning knock along with contributions by Duminy and Rossouw on a difficult track.

The South African bowlers were spot-on with the ball, picking up wickets on a regular basis and also kept a tight hold on the scoring, securing a comfortable 52 run victory. Bangladesh will be raring to get their performance back on track and win the second match, to square the series.

Form Guide:

South Africa looked pretty rusty with the bat on a slow difficult-to-bat pitch at the Sher-e-bangla stadium. The bowlers performed pretty well keeping the slow nature of the pitch. However, the team depends bit too much on the likes of Faf and AB and the other batsmen have to rise up to the occasion.

Bangladesh started on a positive note picking up early wickets and putting a fine fielding performance. Their batting was a pale shadow of their own previous performances against the Asian giants. However, they should put that behind and look to play their natural aggressive game and put the visitors under pressure. It is crucial that the Bangladeshi Openers get a brisk start to set up a platform for Shakib and Rahim.

Team News:

South Africa would stick with the same team for the second game as well. Their bowlers were spot on and bowled the hosts for a score of 92 runs.

Bangladesh would also not be looking to tinker a lot with their team combination. They may however, look into the role of Sohag Gazi in the team and may think of replacing him with Rony Talukdar.

Venue:

The pitch may well play the similar manner as in the first T20 game, a slow and low surface. So spinners should rule the game. Bangladesh should bank upon their spin force again to restrict the visitors to a small score.

Probable XI’s:

South Africa: Q de Kock(wk), R Rossouw, ABD, Faf du Plessis(c), D Miller, JP Duminy, D Wiese, W Parnell, K Abbott, A Phangiso, K Rabada

Bangladesh: T Iqbal, L Das(wk), S Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, M Rahim, S Rahman, N Hossain, S Gazi/Rony Talukdar, M Mortaza(c), M Rahman, A Sunny