South Africa are gearing up for a white-ball series against Ireland in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the first T20I set to take place on September 27 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Proteas will aim to put behind their recent struggles after facing a 2-1 series defeat against Afghanistan in the ODIs.

South Africa’s T20I challenge against Ireland

The two-match T20I series marks the beginning of South Africa’s campaign against Ireland, where the Proteas will look to reset and regain momentum. After their surprising defeat in the ODI series against Afghanistan, the South African team is eager to correct their course and regain their winning ways.

Led by Aiden Markram, South Africa will be focused on learning from their recent mistakes and entering the series with a renewed strategy. The team’s management is keen to see stronger performances across the board, especially from the batting and bowling departments, as they prepare to face a spirited Irish side.

Ireland eyeing a competitive contest

Ireland, known for their fighting spirit, will look to capitalize on South Africa’s vulnerabilities, especially considering their recent struggles in the UAE conditions. With a balanced squad, I?reland will aim to challenge the Proteas in what promises to be a closely fought series.

The T20I series opener on September 2??7 will set the tone for the remainder of the white-ball leg as both teams strive to end the year on a high note.

South Africa’s best-playing XI for the T20I series against Ireland:

1. Aiden Markram (c)

• Strength: A composed and technically sound top-order batter, Markram brings stability to South Africa’s lineup.
• Expectations: As the captain, Markram is expected to lead from the front, both with the bat and tactically. His ability to anchor the innings will be crucial in setting up a solid platform for the team.
• What He Brings: Leadership, experience, and consistency at the top of the order.

2. Reeza Hendricks

• Strength: Known for his aggressive stroke play, Hendricks can take advantage of the powerplay overs and give South Africa quick starts.
• Expectations: Hendricks will be expected to score at a brisk pace and provide momentum early in the innings.
• What He Brings: Aggression at the top of the order and the ability to attack the opposition’s bowlers.

3. Ryan Rickelton (wk)

• Strength: A versatile wicketkeeper-batter, Rickelton can play both attacking and defensive roles depending on the situation.
• Expectations: As the wicketkeeper, he’ll be responsible for steady glovework behind the stumps and contributing valuable runs in the middle order.
• What He Brings: Dual skills of wicketkeeping and middle-order batting, crucial in maintaining balance in the side.

4. Tristan Stubbs

• Strength: A young and explosive batter, Stubbs is known for his ability to clear the ropes with ease.
• Expectations: Stubbs will be tasked with providing a powerful finish to South Africa’s innings in the lower middle order.
• What He Brings: Big-hitting capability and the ability to change the course of the game with his aggressive batting.

5. Jason Smith

• Strength: A dependable all-rounder, Smith is valuable with both bat and ball, offering flexibility to the team.
• Expectations: Smith’s role will be to stabilize the innings and chip in with crucial overs in the middle phase.
• What He Brings: Balance as an all-rounder, contributing in both departments when needed.

6. Wiaan Mulder

• Strength: Another key all-rounder, Mulder’s medium-pace bowling and lower-order batting provide depth to South Africa’s lineup.
• Expectations: Mulder will be expected to bowl economical spells and provide handy contributions with the bat.
• What He Brings: All-round skills that offer South Africa depth and versatility in their lineup.

7. Andile Simelane

• Strength: A promising young player, Simelane is known for his dynamic fielding and handy contributions with the ball.
• Expectations: Simelane will be expected to bring energy in the field and play a support role with the ball in hand.
• What He Brings: Athleticism in the field and the ability to pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs.

Also WATCH: Afghanistan batter Rahmat Shah fal??ls victim to an unusual run-out in 3rd ODI against South Africa

8. Bjorn Fortuin

• Strength: A left-arm spinner with excellent control, Fortuin is known for keeping things tight in the middle overs.
• Expectations: Fortuin’s role will be to restrict runs and break partnerships with his clever variations.
• What He Brings: Spin options in the middle overs and the ability to contain the opposition with a tight economy.

9. Lungi Ngidi

• Strength: Ngidi is South Africa’s pace spearhead, capable of bowling with serious pace and bounce.
• Expectations: Ngidi will be responsible for leading the bowling attack, especially in taking early wickets and containing runs in the death overs.
• What He Brings: Raw pace, accuracy, and the ability to swing the new ball.

10. Ottneil Baartman

• Strength: Baartman is a talented medium-fast bowler known for his accuracy and ability to move the ball off the seam.
• Expectations: He will be tasked with keeping the pressure on the opposition batters and picking up crucial wickets.
• What He Brings: Seam movement and the ability to bowl in the right channels to stifle batters.

11. Lizaad Williams

• Strength: A solid fast bowler, Williams has been consistent with his performances in domestic cricket.
• Expectations: Williams will be expected to partner Ngidi in leading the pace attack, providing breakthroughs at important moments.
• What He Brings: Consistent pace and the ability to bowl both with the new ball and in the death overs.

Also READ??: Cricket Ireland announces their white-bal?l squads for the South Africa series; Andy Balbirnie misses out on T20Is

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While the South African and West Indian cricket teams are currently locked in a tense Test series, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has already shifted its focus to the shorter format. The cricket board has announced the squad for the upcomin??g T20I series against the West Indies, indicating a strategic planning approach to balance the red and white ball formats.

Kwena Maphaka gets maiden call-up

In a groundbreaking move that has sent ripples through the cricketing world, 17-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has earned a maiden call-up to the South African T20I squad. The young prodigy’s meteoric rise is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the game.

Maphaka’s selection is a bold statement from the South African selectors, who have shown a willingness to invest in youth and build a strong foundation for the future. The teenager has impressed with his raw pace and accuracy, and his inclusion in the squad is a reward for his consistent performances at domestic level.

Also READ: Alick Athanaze’s fightback helps West Indies earn a draw against South Africa in the first Test

Jason Smith gets a chance too

Further, the selection committee has also thrown a surprise by including uncapped Jason Smith in the squad, signaling a potential new era for South African T20 cricket. Smith’s inclusion is a testament to his impressive performances in domestic cricket and the selectors’ faith in his ability to make an immediate impact at the international level.

“We’re excited to have Jason [Smith] and Kwena [Maphaka] join the squad for this series. Jason’s recent performances have been impressive, and his ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds valuable depth to our line-up. Kwena has been identified as a player with significant potential, and this tour presents a great opportunity to include him in the Proteas environment and gain valuable international experience,” said White-ball head coach Rob Walter in a statement share??d on X by Protea?s Men.

South Africa’s T20I squad for West Indies

Aiden Markram, Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Kwena Maphaka, W??iaan Mulder, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan S?tubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams

Also WATCH: WI vs SA �Aiden Markram gives an animated send-of?f to Jason Holder during Day 4 of the firs??t Test

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Ravichandran Ashwin, India‘s seasoned spinner, has shared his thoughts on South Africa‘s selection dilemma for the T20 World Cup 2024 final against India at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday (June 29). He suggested that South Africa consider dropping Tabraiz Shamsi, their left-arm spinner, ??despite his recent standout performances.

Tabraiz Shamsi’s impactful performances in T20 World Cup 2024

Shamsi has been in remarkable form, playing a crucial role in South Africa’s journey to the final. His Player of the Match performance with figures of 3/27 against the West Indies in the Super 8 stage was instrumental in securing their semi-final berth. He continued his impressive run with a pivotal 3/6 in the semi-final against Afghanistan, showc??asing his ability to de??liver in high-pressure situations.

Also READ: Fans mock as MBA Chaiwala founder Prafull?? ?Billore backs South Africa for the T20 World Cup 2024 final

Strategic concerns

However, Shamsi’s tournament hasn’t been without its challenges. He conceded 50 runs against the United States of America (USA), leading to his omission from the next match against England, where Ottneil Baartman took his place. Despite this setback, Shamsi was brought back for the crucial game against the West Indies, reflecting the team’s reliance on his wicket-taking capabilities.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s tactical analysis

Speaking on his Youtube channel, Ashwin highl?ighted that while Shamsi has a talent for breaking partnerships, he can be expensive at times. He pointed out that ?Indian batters could exploit this by employing aggressive tactics, such as the sweep shot.

Ashwin further suggested that South Africa might benefit from selecting pacer Baartman over Shamsi in the final to strengthen their bowl??ing attack and reduce the risk o?f conceding too many runs.

“Shamsi is one bowler who will go for sweeps. And India has been sweeping. Adil Rashid, (Liam) Livingstone was slightly quicker through the area. They were able to get 39 runs along with Jordan and Sam Curran. I see this as a very important match-up. And hence, I believe South Africa should seriously consider playing (Ottniel) Baartman ahead of Shamsi for the final,” Ashwin said.

Also READ: From Grace Hayden to Mayanti Langer: Full list of a??nchors and presenters?? for the T20 World Cup 2024 final

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Aaron Jones, the stand-in captain of the United States of America (USA), won the toss and elected to bowl first against South Africa in the first match of the Super 8 stage at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“We’re going with the extra spinner. I don’t think conditions are going to be too different from Dallas,” Jones said at the toss.

Meanwhile, the South African skipper Aiden Makram stated: “We weren’t sure what to do. We would also have leaned towards bowling but we’re not too bothered with the outcome of the toss.”

Ottneil Baartman misses out

At the toss, Markram also confirmed about Keshav Maharaj’s inclusion in place of Ottneil Baartman. The Proteas team has sidelined Baartman purely on the basis of conditions.

Pitch report: “67m and 61m square boundaries and 74m straight down the ground. Wind is coming across the ground so it will assist hitting to the short boundary,” cricketer-turned-commentator Shaun Pollock remarked at the toss.

Also READ: Keshav?? Maharaj predicts his 4 semif??inalists of the T20 World Cup 2024

USA vs SA: Playing XI of both teams

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

United States of America: Shayan Jahangir, Steven Taylor, Andries Gous (wk)??, Aaron Jones (c), Nitish Kumar, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar

Also READ: ICC T20I Rankings – Marcus Stoinis dethrones Mohammad Nabi to acquire top spot, Hardik Pandya shows gain

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In the high-octane world of T20 cricket, dot balls are as valuable as gold dust. They build immense pressure on batters, often leading to mistakes and ultimately wickets. Over the years, several bowlers have excelled in this aspect, consistently delivering dot balls to stymie the opposition. The T20 World Cup 2024 has witnessed remarkable performances in this regard, with one stand??o?ut achievement by a young Bangladeshi pacer.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s record-breaking performance

In a thrilling Group D match of the T20 World Cup, Bangladesh’s young pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib set a new benchmark by bowling the most dot balls in a T20 World Cup game. This memorable feat was accomplished during Bangladesh’s clash against Nepal in Kingstown on Monday (June 17).

Sakib’s exceptional spell of four overs included:

• 21 Dot Balls: Out of his 24 deliveries, 21 were dot balls, creating significant pressure on the Nepalese batters.
• Conceding Just 7 Runs: His miserly bowling restricted the run flow, adding to the mounting pressure on the batting side.
• Taking Four Wickets: Sakib’s incisive bowling claimed four crucial wickets, further dismantling Nepal’s batting lineup.
• Two Maidens: His spell included two maiden overs, emphasizing his control and accuracy.

His final figures of 4/7 were instrumental in Nepal’s inability to chase down the modest target of 107 runs, ultimately being bowled out for just 85. Sakib’s record-breaking performance surpassed the previous high of 20 dot balls in a single T20 World Cup match, a record held jointly by South Africa‘s Ottneil Baartman and New Zealand’s Trent Boult, both achieved earlier in the same tournament.

Also READ: Top 5 lowest total defe?nded in T20 World Cup history ft. Bangladesh

Top 5 bowlers with the most dot balls in a single spell in T20 World Cup history:

1. Tanzim Hasan Sakib

• Team: Bangladesh
• Opponent: Nepal
• Date: June 2024
• Dot Balls: 21

2. Ottneil Baartman

• Team: South Africa
• Opponent: Sri Lanka
• Date: June 2024
• Dot Balls: 20

3. Trent Boult

• Team: New Zealand
• Opponent: Uganda
• Date: June 2024
• Dot Balls: 20

4. Lockie Ferguson

• Team: New Zealand
• Opponent: Uganda
• Date: June 2024
• Dot Balls: 20

5. Ajanta Mendis

• Team: Sri Lanka
• Opponent: Zimbabwe
• Date: September 2012
• Dot Balls: 20

Also READ: Top 5 matches in T20 World Cup history with most nu??mber of dot balls

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Ottneil Baartman etched his name into South African cricket history on Monday (June 3), taking a wicket off the very first ball of his opening over in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 match against Sri Lanka at t??he Nassau County International Cricket ?Stadium in New York.

Early Strike for Ottneil Baartman

Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to bat first, faced an immediate setback as Pathum Nissanka fell victim to Baartman’s brilliance. The Sri Lankan opener, looking to break free, attempted a powerful off-drive off a fulish delivery outside off stump. However, the ball took a thick edge and flew comfortably into the hands of Heinrich Klaasen at deep third, dismissing Nissanka for just 3 runs off 8 del??iveries.

This remarkable feat by Baartman marks a first for South Africa in the T20 World Cup. Never before has a South African bowler managed to pick up a wicket on the very first ball of their opening over in the prestigious tournament. This impressive start by Baartman has undoubtedly bolstered South Africa’s spirits and sent a message to the Sri Lankan batting line-up.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2024 [Photos] – Meet the wives and girlfriends of South African cricketers

Till the end of the tenth over, half of the Sri Lankan side was in the dugout. They were reeling at 40/5, with Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka in the middle.

Lowest total for Sri Lanka after first 10 overs in T20Is

• 40/5 vs South Africa – New York, 2024
• 42/2 vs India – Colombo, 2021
• 43/7 vs Australia – Cape Town, 2007

SL vs SA: Playing XI of both teams

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, ?David Miller, Tristan?? Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ottniel Baartman

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Sam??arawickrama, Charith Asalanka (vc), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2024 [Photos] – Meet the wives and girlfriends of Sri Lanka cricketers

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