SA v BAN, 2nd T20I Preview: Final chance for Bangladesh to salvage some pride

It has been one of the most disappointing foreign tours in Bangladesh cricket history and here they are, with one final chance to make an impression. The first T20I didn’t prove to be too disappointing, with the batting unit clicking a little bit. Nevertheless, the Proteas were clinical, as they’ve been so far in the series.

Nothing about the series has been compelling for a Bangladeshi fan. They saw their bowlers get bludgeoned mercilessly, their batsmen were vandalized by the sheer class of the Proteas’ fast bowlers and their fielding has been poor as well. It’s a three-dimensional disaster, which cannot be used as a tool to judge them, but they definitely need more matches outside the subcontinent.

Quinton de Kock has been one of the stars of this entire tour. He well and truly has raised the bars and all those people aspiring to get into the team as an opener will have to wait a lot longer. The entire team is collectively pounding on the Tigers and giving them no space to work their tricks. It’d be fair to say that the Proteas have been too brilliant rather than saying the visitors didn’t fight hard.

Toss: Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Liton Das, Rubel Hossain

South Africa (Playing XI): Mangaliso Mosehle(w), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy(c), David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Robert Frylinck, Aaron Phangiso, Beuran Hendricks

Focus will be on

Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

The southpaw has been in staggering form off-late and he will love to finish this series with a big hundred. After registering his career-best score in the first ODI, he went to amass tons of runs in the next few games as well. De Kock’s game is maturing with every match he plays and this is such a great sign for South Africa. With the World Cup nearing, his form will only boost the side’s confidence of going all the way.

Soumya Sarkar (Bangladesh)

When Soumya Sarkar was batting in the first T20, it was like a ray of sunshine breaking through the darkness caused by the clouds. The clouds, i.e, the South Africans, eventually took over well before he made a significant impact. The youngster is one of the most talented batsmen in their side and the way he faced the fast bowlers the other day was very promising. If he can provide a good start on Sunday, they can get back home with relief.

Playing combinations

South Africa

Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla will be opening the innings, with the batting maestro AB de Villiers coming in at number 3. It’ll be tough to stay put on these players and following them in the middle order will be JP Duminy, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, and Andile Phehlukwayo.

Phehlukwayo and Dane Paterson are leading the line magnificently for the home side. Though Robbie Frylinck and Beuran Hendricks were a tad expensive, they did pick some wickets when it mattered. Aaron Phangiso might retain his place ahead of Tabraiz Shamsi as the lone spinner in the team.

Bangladesh

One of the biggest challenges for them in the series has been to give a good start. The openers Imrul Kayes and Sarkar will be hoping to eradicate that little problem they have, with Sabbir Rahman coming in at 3. Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, and Nasir Hossain are the other people in the middle order.

Mustafizur’s absence in this format is a killer blow. Yet, they have some talented speedsters in Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, and Saifuddin, who have to provide some early breakthroughs to thwart them from scoring big. Mehidy Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mahmudullah will be the spinners for the day.

StatAttack

1 – This is the first T20 International hosted by the Senwes Park, Potchefstroom.

16 – Bangladeshi bowlers managed to pick up just 16 wickets in the 3 ODIs and 1 T20I played on this tour. South Africa managed to pick up 39, which is two times more than what their counterparts have managed.