Proteas aiming to bounce back after losing run-fest
South Africa will be expected to respond to their dramatic defeat to England when they face Afghanistan in their second World Twenty20 fixture on Sunday.
The Proteas looked strong favourites to begin their Super 10 campaign with victory on Friday, as they racked up 229-4 in Mumbai thanks to half-centuries from Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy.
But they were undone by a brutal batting performance from England, as Jason Roy’s blistering 43 and Joe Root’s supreme 83 helped guide England home in dramatic fashion.
If they are to retain hopes of progressing to the semi-finals, South Africa know victory against Group 1 outsiders Afghanistan – who lost their opener to Sri Lanka – is a must at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
“It’s a quick turnaround, Afghanistan coming on Sunday and we have to make sure that we prepare well for that game,” said Duminy.
“There’s a long way to go in this tournament and we obviously as a team are now under the pump and we have to pretty much win every game.”
CAN SOUTH AFRICA TIDY UP IN THE FIELD?
South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis admitted his side had given away too many cheap runs – including 20 wides – as England pulled off the biggest run chase in World T20 history.
“We said we needed to start with intensity and didn’t do that. There were way too many extras [26] from our point of view,” he said. “Our batting was superb, the first six overs was the best time to bat and both sides did that. The execution of our extras, it makes it very tough because you are always under the pump.”
HOW WILL AFGHANISTAN COPE WITH THE PROTEAS’ POWER?
Although South Africa’s bowling faltered badly against England, there can be no doubting their batting prowess. The likes of De Kock, AB de Villiers and Du Plessis make up a top order that is arguably the most powerful in world cricket. Afghanistan spinners Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan impressed against Sri Lanka, but how will they fare against the might of the Proteas’ vaunted line-up?
SKIPPER STANIKZAI THE KEY FOR AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan’s fortunes may ride on their captain Asghar Stanikzai, who is enjoying a fine run in the shortest form of the game. In his last five T20 international innings, Stanikzai has made 200 runs, at an average of 50, including 62 in the six-wicket loss to Sri Lanka. If he can fire again, the outsiders may be in with a chance of an upset.
KEY OPTA STATS
– These sides have met just once before in T20 cricket, South Africa winning by 59 runs at the 2010 World Twenty20.
– In that match, Afghanistan’s top seven batsman scored just 12 runs between them with no one scoring more than four runs.
– Afghanistan have won nine of their last 11 T20I fixtures and have not lost back to back matches since 2014.
– Only Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Kulasekara (6) has bowled more maiden overs in T20I history than Mohammad Nabi (5).
