Time: March 18, 4:30 PM
Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion
Pitch Report
Only two ODIs were played at Centurion in 2021. Three batters scored hundreds and 24 of 30 wickets belonged to pacers.
Teams
Probable XI for South Africa: Tamim Iqbal (c), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Yasir Ali, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Probable XI for Bangladesh: Quinton de Kock (wk), Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
Kagiso Rabada is back to ODIs after a gap of six months. He, however, has had a good season in Tests, taking 30 wickets at an average of 20. Against Bangladesh in ODIs, he maintains an impressive performance: he has taken 13 wickets including a four- and five-wicket haul.
Liton Das won the Player of the Series award in the recently concluded series against Afghanistan at home. He scored 223 runs comprising a fifty and a century. The conditions in South Africa will be challenging, but Liton’s recent form has been exceptional.
Shakib Al Hasan, the No.1 bowler in ICC ODI Rankings, has an ordinary record with the ball against South Africa. His 13 wickets have come at an average of 48. With the bat, the numbers are slightly better: 397 runs at 33. His dual skills, for that matter, reap rewards for the fantasy players.
Rassie van der Dussen’s scores against India read 129, 37*, and 52. In the ongoing CSA Limited-Overs Series, he scored consecutive fifties.
Smart Picks
Quinton de Kock scored a spectacular century the last time he played an ODI, against India earlier this year. In 7 matches against Bangladesh, he has managed 354 runs at 59.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain pulled off an improbable chase against Afghanistan, lifting Bangladesh from 45 for 6 to 219. Both are also handy with the ball.
Aiden Markram may not have been effective with the bat of late, but South Africa have been smart in utilising his off-breaks. They have even used him in the powerplay, and against the southpaw top-order of Bangladesh, his skills will be exploited.
Captaincy seemed to have affected Tamim Iqbal’s performance with the bat. He managed a mere 29 runs in three ODIs against Afghanistan. Against South Africa too, he has ordinary numbers: an average of 27 in 12 games. On the other hand, Temba Bavuma has gotten better as a batter after being put at the helm. His hundred at Paarl hinted that the onus of sticking around and holding the innings together is on him.
Lungi Ngidi is an out-and-out strike bowler. He took a terrific five-wicket haul in the CSA Limited-Overs series. Overall, he strikes at 26.4 in ODIs.
Tabraiz Shamsi, the highest wicket-taker in T20Is in 2021, will play a key role in the middle overs. He has a knack for taking wickets at crucial phases.
Match Preview
Bangladesh have never won an ODI in South Africa. Shakib Al Hasan has conceded that winning even one game in South Africa will be a big achievement. In addition, South Africa will be confident after beating India 3-0 earlier this year.
