We preview the first T20 International between South Africa and Bangladesh set to take place on Thursday 26 November in Bloemfontein.
Following comprehensive wins in the Test and ODI segments of this series, South Africa will look to wrap up things up against Bangladesh with a strong showing in the two T20 Internationals.
For Bangladesh, it’s a shot at a bit of redemption after being comprehensively outplayed over the last few weeks.
South Africa vs Bangladesh | Thursday 26 November | Manguang Oval, Bloemfontein
To Win Match
South Africa 1/9 | Tie 35/1 | Bangladesh 56/10
South Africa
It’s great to see Hollywoodbets Dolphins all-rounder Robbie Frylinck finally crack the nod for the national side albeit in the shortest form of the game. He’s been a brilliant servant at franchise level for both the Dolphins and the Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL. I just hope he gets a run against the Tigers because at 33 years of age I don’t see him getting too many more opportunities in future.
Mangaliso Mosehle will be another who’ll be keen for a hit in at least one of the two matches. While he’s unlikely to take the gloves off of Quinton de Kock anytime soon, the Lions gloveman is more than capable of stepping up into the national team should de Kock suffer injury / require rest.
On the subject of rest, Kagiso Rabada has been given time to recover following his exertions in the Tests and ODIs. Beuran Hendricks has been called up as a specialist bowler, although I suspect he’ll be utilised as a reserve with Frylinck, Dane Paterson, and Dwaine Pretorius all ahead of him in the pecking order.
Lungi Ngidi’s return from injury and subsequent red ball bowling performance for the Titans against the Lions will add further depth to the national pool. In terms of spinners, it’ll be a straight shootout between Aaron Phangiso and Tabraiz Shamsi. One feels, however, that we’ll see Shamsi picked as a more attacking option against a fragile Bangladesh batting line-up.
While there’s scope to tinker with the bowlers, the top and middle order are pretty much set in stone. De Kock and Amla will open things up with AB de Villiers moving up to number three following Faf du Plessis’ back injury. David Miller, JP Duminy – who will captain the side in the absence of du Plessis – Farhaan Behardien and Frylinck make up a markedly strong middle order.
The side is likely to be completed with Andile Phelukwayo, Pretorius, Paterson and Shamsi. All in all, a very strong XI that should have little trouble dealing with a battered and bruised Bangladeshi side.
Bangladesh
While the Bangladeshi’s don’t lack quality, they – like all Sub-Continent teams – battle in South African conditions. In a way, they’re lucky they never had to play any of their fixtures at the Wanderers or Centurion where lightning-quick decks would have made life even more difficult for Mushfiqur and co.
Interestingly enough, the official ICC Rankings seem to suggest that T20 Cricket is their least favourite discipline. Chandika Hathurusingha’s men sit in tenth place behind Afghanistan with Scotland closing in in 11th.
Still, they’ve got plenty of quality in their ranks. Shakib Al Hasan has shown his worth in the ODIs with both bat and ball while Mushfiqur Rahim and Imrul Kayes batted well enough all things considered.
Generally speaking, the Tigers have battled with ball in hand. Taskin Ahmed has been wayward and duly spanked by the South African batsmen, his economy of 8.25 in the ODI segment of the tour speaks volumes.
Nassir Hossain hasn’t picked up a limited overs wicket on tour. Only Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rubel Hossain managed to make inroads in the intermediate format of the game against the South African top order, and even they were more expensive than they would have liked.
Verdict: South Africa 1/9
Bangladesh never came close to South Africa in the ODI segment of this tour and there’s nothing to suggest that they will be able to compete in Bloem on Thursday. Backing South Africa is the only way to, however, at 1/9 you’d best wait for the exotic markets to be priced up.
