Taskin and the rest of Bangladesh’s batting lineup will be counted on to perform well, and the team will also be looking for batting solutions.
The Big Picture
After losing their first game in Hobart due to rain, South Africa has an opportunity to grab two critical points against Bangladesh. Now that they’ve already beaten them in the initial match, Bangladesh should feel confident enough to cause them more trouble.
Bangladesh’s quick bowlers were instrumental in their team’s victory against the Netherlands in the Super 12s stage of the event. Against South Africa, Bangladesh will be looking to repeat its offensive output with the ball.
Taskin Ahmed is on fire right now, having just finished with career-best figures of 4 for 25; Hasan Mahmud also played an important part, taking two wickets in four overs.
Mustafizur Rahman didn’t get any wickets although he was very frugal with the ball, while Soumya Sarkar managed to get one.
Another one of Taskin’s huge games this year occurred earlier this year, against South Africa. When Bangladesh played South Africa in an ODI series back in March, he took five wickets and helped his side win 2-1 in Centurion, their first victory ever in South Africa.
Nonetheless, the batting lineup must back up the bowling assault. Bangladesh got off to their best start (47 for 1 in the powerplay) since last year’s T20 World Cup thanks to openers Soumya and Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Mosaddek Hossain contributed towards the end to help them reach a respectable total even though the middle order had collapsed. Bangladesh will need to significantly improve its batting performance against South Africa’s more varied bowling attack.
Despite losing a point due to a rainout against Zimbabwe, the South Africans insist they are “still in control” of their fate in the competition.
Before the rain in Hobart put an end to the game, they had everything under control. Quinton de Kock smashed his way to an unbeaten 47 off 18 balls as they chased a revised goal of 64 in nine overs.
Despite de Kock’s lackluster showing in the T20 World Cup 2021 (he scored a total of 69 runs over four games), he seems ready to make amends this time around.
The South African bowling attack was effective for most of their nine overs against Zimbabwe, as Lungi Ngidi captured two for his side.
Even though South Africa has a well-rounded lineup with the addition of all-rounder Wayne Parnell, they may need to adjust their approach on the Sydney surface, which helps with spinners.
Spotlight
Quinton de Kock made a bold statement in his debut in the Twenty20 World Cup this year by scoring a furious 47 against the Netherlands.
This was his first match at the tournament. It’s possible that it wouldn’t have resulted in the two points that South Africa so urgently desired, but it certainly would have put Bangladesh’s bowlers on high alert.
Mosaddek Hossain has been an invaluable presence for Bangladesh’s batting in the death overs, which has been struggling recently. Even though he has just played a supporting role in T20 Internationals, he has been successful in making use of his huge hitting.
Since September, he has played many innings in which he has shown a propensity to go for the big runs. One example of this is his undefeated 20-run performance off just 12 balls against the Netherlands.
In July, Mosaddek had a match against Zimbabwe and got five wickets with his off-spin. He is also an excellent defender.
Team News
At the SCG, Tabraiz Shamsi might be useful, therefore South Africa may bench one of their fast bowlers in favor of him.
South Africa (probable)
1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Temba Bavuma (captain), 3 Rilee Rossouw, 4 Aiden Markram. To number five, David Miller, No. 6 Tristan Stubbs, Parnell, Wayne, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Tabariz Shamsi, with Lungi Ngidi at 11.
Although Bangladesh seldom strays from a winning formula, they might make an exception for Mehidy Hasan Miraz if they feel he is essential to their success.
Bangladesh (probable)
batting order: 1 Soumya Sarkar, 2 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 3 Litton Das, 4 Shakib Al Hasan (captain), 5 Afif Hossain, and 6 Shakib Al Hasan. 6 Nurul Hasan (wk), 7 Mosaddek Hossain, 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Hasan Mahmud.
Pitch and Conditions
This match will be played on a brand-new field that has a sufficient amount of grass covering it but is anticipated to be rather dry.
The weather in the days leading up to the event has been sunny and pleasant, but there is a chance of rain in the forecast for Thursday afternoon.
Stats and Trivia
- The South Africans and the Bangladeshis will both be making their SCG debuts in the next Twenty20 International.
- Despite playing against South Africa often in T20Is, Bangladesh has never been able to win.
- In their last match against Zimbabwe, South Africa became just the eighth T20I side to achieve their team fifty in three overs.
- Taskin’s previous best numbers in T20Is were 2 for 12, but he got 4 for 25 against the Netherlands.
Quotes
“After Mashrafe’s departure, (Taskin) emerged as a leader. His performance for Bangladesh over the last two years has been outstanding. He’s setting an excellent example for everyone. In all three forms, we have a strong fast bowling unit.
I’m very pleased with how far they’ve come and how much they’ve progressed on their own. I’m crossing my fingers that they can keep it up in this World Cup.”
When questioned about Taskin Ahmed’s performance, Shakib Al Hasan.
