Match Details
Commentary
South Africa Probable XI: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, George Linde/Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
New Zealand Probable XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
Preview by AkshayaKrishna Polya
Having been involved in some of the iconic World Cup matches across formats, both New Zealand and South Africa meet once again at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, in what could be yet another cult classic on Saturday (February 14).
The two teams last met in a T20 WC back in 2014. And it was Dale Steyn's special final over that saved the day for the Proteas.
Initially being tagged as a group of death, Group D, has now taken a proper shape. Both teams have won two out of two games so far. The Kiwis have steamrolled their oppositions - Afghanistan and the UAE - in Chennai and are top of the table, while South Africa are second due to their net run rate of +1.425. It only means that the Black Caps have dominated the show.
Only god knows how South Africa managed to escape in that game against Afghanistan at the same venue on Wednesday. Barest of margins came to life in the biggest cricket stadium in the world under the afternoon sun.
SA's top order clicked again and helped the team to 187/6. Lungi Ngidi was once again at his best, but he and his bowling colleagues had no answer to Rahmanullah Gurbaz's class. Decent enough death bowling brought the equation in favour of South Africa, but Marco Jansen conceded a six to Noor Ahmad in the 19th over. However, Kagiso Rabada had sealed the game with the final wicket in the first delivery of the 20th, only to overstep. He repeated the same crime, but for some reason, Noor and Fazalhaq Farooqi decided to steal the risky second run with Afghanistan needing 2 to win off 3 balls, and the latter was run out, forcing a Super Over.
Tristan Stubbs hit a six to tie the first Super Over, before him and David Miller powered SA to 23 in the second Super Over. Keshav Maharaj nearly bottled it up after bowling two good balls to start with. Gurbaz slammed the left-arm spinner for three sixes before holing out to Miller at backward point, allowing the Proteas to breathe a sigh of relief.
For New Zealand, it is the exact opposite. They chased down targets way too easily in both of their games. Like Ngidi for SA, Tim Seifert has collected the POTM awards for NZ. Finn Allen came to the party along with Seifert, as the two fearless Kiwi openers bashed the UAE by 10 wickets, thanks to their unbeaten 84 and 89, respectively. A record 175-run stand in just 15.2 overs showed their control and authority, although it came against a much smaller team.
Mitchell Santner has been a standout bowler across both matches. The Kiwi skipper has been smart as ever. The seamers have done their job, too. The only concern is that of the 5th bowler. Glenn Phillips hasn't been at his best with the ball in this tournament.
Meanwhile, Cole McConchie, the replacement for Michael Bracewell, who is ruled out of the competition, has joined the squad but as a travelling reserve.
New Zealand are yet to beat South Africa in the T20 World Cups, with the latter winning all four clashes so far. One of the two teams will continue to remain unbeaten in this edition. A win for New Zealand will confirm their place in the Super 8s, while a win for South Africa will get them very close to the Super 8s.
Can the Black Caps secure their first-ever T20 World Cup win over South Africa and jump into the Super 8s? To find out, join us at 6 PM IST and Local Time on Saturday for its live coverage!
Having been involved in some of the iconic World Cup matches across formats, both New Zealand and South Africa meet once again at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, in what could be yet another cult classic on Saturday (February 14).
The two teams last met in a T20 WC back in 2014. And it was Dale Steyn's special final over that saved the day for the Proteas.
Initially being tagged as a group of death, Group D, has now taken a proper shape. Both teams have won two out of two games so far. The Kiwis have steamrolled their oppositions - Afghanistan and the UAE - in Chennai and are top of the table, while South Africa are second due to their net run rate of +1.425. It only means that the Black Caps have dominated the show.
Only god knows how South Africa managed to escape in that game against Afghanistan at the same venue on Wednesday. Barest of margins came to life in the biggest cricket stadium in the world under the afternoon sun.
SA's top order clicked again and helped the team to 187/6. Lungi Ngidi was once again at his best, but he and his bowling colleagues had no answer to Rahmanullah Gurbaz's class. Decent enough death bowling brought the equation in favour of South Africa, but Marco Jansen conceded a six to Noor Ahmad in the 19th over. However, Kagiso Rabada had sealed the game with the final wicket in the first delivery of the 20th, only to overstep. He repeated the same crime, but for some reason, Noor and Fazalhaq Farooqi decided to steal the risky second run with Afghanistan needing 2 to win off 3 balls, and the latter was run out, forcing a Super Over.
Tristan Stubbs hit a six to tie the first Super Over, before him and David Miller powered SA to 23 in the second Super Over. Keshav Maharaj nearly bottled it up after bowling two good balls to start with. Gurbaz slammed the left-arm spinner for three sixes before holing out to Miller at backward point, allowing the Proteas to breathe a sigh of relief.
For New Zealand, it is the exact opposite. They chased down targets way too easily in both of their games. Like Ngidi for SA, Tim Seifert has collected the POTM awards for NZ. Finn Allen came to the party along with Seifert, as the two fearless Kiwi openers bashed the UAE by 10 wickets, thanks to their unbeaten 84 and 89, respectively. A record 175-run stand in just 15.2 overs showed their control and authority, although it came against a much smaller team.
Mitchell Santner has been a standout bowler across both matches. The Kiwi skipper has been smart as ever. The seamers have done their job, too. The only concern is that of the 5th bowler. Glenn Phillips hasn't been at his best with the ball in this tournament.
Meanwhile, Cole McConchie, the replacement for Michael Bracewell, who is ruled out of the competition, has joined the squad but as a travelling reserve.
New Zealand are yet to beat South Africa in the T20 World Cups, with the latter winning all four clashes so far. One of the two teams will continue to remain unbeaten in this edition. A win for New Zealand will confirm their place in the Super 8s, while a win for South Africa will get them very close to the Super 8s.
Can the Black Caps secure their first-ever T20 World Cup win over South Africa and jump into the Super 8s? To find out, join us at 6 PM IST and Local Time on Saturday for its live coverage!
Head-to-Head in T20Is:
Matches Played: 18
New Zealand Won: 7
South Africa Won: 11
Matches Played: 18
New Zealand Won: 7
South Africa Won: 11
South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs (wk), Marco Jansen, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Jason Smith, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka
New Zealand Squad: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway (wk)