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With both South Africa and Bangladesh claiming one match each, the three-match ODI series between the two is tied at 1-1. The series decider will take place at the SuperSport Park on Wednesday. The clash will be crucial, especially for the hosts, who need the 10 points on offer towards the CWC Super League more than the visitors.
Bangla Tigers, who are at the top of the CWC Super League table with 110 points from 17 matches, claimed a 38-run victory in the series opener at Centurion. The hosts bounced back strongly in the second game, winning it by seven wickets. South Africa, in turn, are placed ninth on the points table with 49 points from 12 matches.
The second ODI at Johannesburg saw Kagiso Rabada at his absolute best as he ran through the Bangladesh batting line-up with five for 39. Afif Hossain (72) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (38) put on an 86-run partnership for the seventh wicket to take the visitors to a respectable total of 194/9.
In response, Quinton de Kock came out all guns blazing as he brought up his fifty in just 26 balls. He added 86 runs for the first wicket with Janneman Malan (26) in 12.3 overs and was eventually dismissed for 62 off 41. Kyle Verreynne scored an unbeaten 58 while captain Temba Bavuma added 37 runs as the Proteas crossed the line in 37.2 overs.
Key players
One of the best white-ball players in the world, Quinton de Kock is able to take the game away from the opposition in a matter of a few overs makes him a valuable asset. His record in ODI cricket is outstanding, having scored 5646 runs in 128 matches at an average of 46 and strike rate of 96.
The left hander has registered 17 hundreds and 28 fifties in this format. De Kock missed the first ODI but was magnificent in the second, blasting 62 off 41.
Kagiso Rabada is one of the most prolific wicket-takers across formats. While his performances haven’t been consistent in recent years, he can rip apart the batting line-ups when on song.
The right arm pacer has 132 wickets in 84 ODIs at an economy of 5.01, including eight instances of 4+ wickets. Rabada was superb in the second game, snaring 5 for 39.
Modern great Shakib Al Hasan has taken 283 wickets from 220 ODIs at an economy of 4.44, including 12 four-wicket hauls.
The left-arm skipper has amassed 6737 runs in the format at an average of 38 with nine hundreds and 50 fifties. The 34-year-old all-rounder was terrific in the first game, smashing 77 off 64. He remains a key player for the visitors.
Rassie van der Dussen has become one of the key figures in the side, having scored 1361 runs in 34 matches at 76 average and 89 strike rate. Rassie has registered two hundreds and 11 fifties in the format. The right-hand batter was fantastic in the first game, scoring a well-compiled 86.
Liton Das has all the flair of a brilliant strokemaker and is one of the best batters in the Bangladesh circuit. He has scored 1623 runs in 52 ODIs at an average of 33, including five hundreds and as many fifties. In his last five innings, Liton Das has scored 288 runs with one hundred and two fifties. He remains their key player at the top of the order.
Prediction
As far as the head to head record between these two teams is concerned, South Africa have dominated the scoreline by 18-5. Bangladesh have defeated SA away from home only once, and that was in the first game of the series.
Talking about the teams, Bangladesh have a very good side in the fifty-over format. The pace bowling attack of Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam is very potent, while the spin options in Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz are skillful. The batting unit, including Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Afif Hossain looks pretty solid as well.
South Africa have a power-packed batting line-up of de Kock, van der Dussen, Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma, and David Miller. Their pace bowling attack has often relied on inspiring performances of Rabada, with Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell and Marco Jansen as support bowlers. Their spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi is pretty good.
The home tracks should favour South Africa more, having a far better team overall for these conditions. Expect them to come out on top at Centurion.
