At one time Pakistan team was called ‘dark horse’. Because you never know when you will win and when you will lose. In the last 1992 World Cup series held in Australia, Pakistan team lost against India, West Indies and South Africa teams, were all out for 78 runs against England and the match was decided due to rain and the points were shared between the two teams.
Leaving South Africa aside, India, Pakistan and Australia are predicting England to advance to the semi-finals of the current T20 World Cup series. But South Africa cannot be dismissed as a ‘dark horse’.
The World Cup is held in Australia. Let’s not forget that if there is a team that has played better than Australia on Australian soil, it is South Africa.
During the 1992 World Cup, Pakistan was not predicted by any expert to win the World Cup, but the team eventually won the trophy under the leadership of Imran Khan. But it was Imran Khan. So Pakistan won the title of dark horse. South Africa is in the same situation now. South Africa has always been known as the dark horse in World Cups. Because they will beat Australia but lose to Bangladesh.
Just like Pakistan, the South African team has in recent times had an incredible confidence in their place. That is why South Africa is the most dangerous team.
In the last T20 World Cup series held in UAE, South Africa won 4 out of 5 matches and got 8 points like Australia and England. But the net run rate of 0.739 failed to qualify for the next round. But let’s not forget that the South African team played brilliantly last time.
This time the South African team is in a group consisting of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and 2 teams who qualified from the first round qualifiers. One of the threats to India is Pakistan and the other is South Africa. If the Indian team loses against the main rivals in the group for the Super 12 round of the last World Cup, they will have to leave.
Even in the recent 1-2 series loss to India, he chased down 237 runs in one match and terrorized Rohit Sharma and the Indian team. Because no matter who forgets David Miller’s 45-ball innings, the Indian team should not forget it.
South Africa Team Profile: Temba Bouma (capt), Quinton de Kock, Reza Henriques, Henrich Clausen, Keshav Maharaj, Aidan Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ingdi, Henrich Norkya, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Riley Russo, Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Dwayne Pretorius, Marco Janssen . Reserves: Jorn Fortuin, Belukwayo, Lizette Williams.
South Africa crush New Zealand in warm-up match: On the 17th of the ongoing T20 World Cup warm-up match in Australia, we saw the South African team kicking New Zealand at the Brisbane ground. New Zealand were bowled out for 98 without anyone scoring 30 runs. Wayne Parnell took 2 wickets, Keshav Maharaj 3 wickets, Shamsi 2 wickets, Rabada, Janssen, Markram 1 wicket each. However, New Zealand fielded the entire team under the leadership of Kane Williamson.
Devon Conway did not play despite Martin Cuptil and Kane Williamson. But what about being bowled out for 98 runs? The whole reason for that is the bowling of the South African team. Despite this, Rabada bowled only one over. That too was bowled at the end and Lockie Ferguson took only the wicket.
Chasing a target of 99 runs, the South African team won the game easily, scoring 100 runs in 11.2 overs with the loss of 1 wicket. Riley Russo scored 54 runs off 32 balls, Reesa Henriques 27 and Markram 16 not out. This win is a warning to other teams.
Quinton de Kock is one of the most dangerous players in the South African team. He will chase down any target as an individual if he feels like it. She is followed by Reesa Henriques and Riley Russo. Not to mention David Miller. Markram is a classy player in T20. Henrys Clausen is overseeing the finisher operations. He is also a skilled counter spinner.
Needless to say Rabada bowled. It is enough for him to take 2 wickets in the first 2 overs on Australian pitches. If Wayne Parnell and Narkya get rid of the middle order, India and Pakistan are at risk of what happened to New Zealand that day. Because Australian pitches tend to go for the new ball, the South African team’s weakness is spin bowling, they don’t come to spin the batsmen. They get nervous and catch and stumble. Using this, if the Indian team is formed with Ashwin, Chahal and Axar Patel, they will be devastated. Among their spinner Keshav Maharaj is a titanic, wicket-taking bowler. If Shamsi finds his rhythm, his left-arm Chinaman bowling is a threat to any team.
South Africa’s Current T20 World Cup Matches: First, on October 24, South Africa will face a team coming from the qualifiers in Hobart, which the team will have no problem winning. Then they face Bangladesh in Sydney on the 27th, and South Africa are unlikely to have a problem with Afghanistan’s left-arm thrashing of Bangladesh. And that too on Australian pitches.
South Africa will next face India on the 30th at Perth. It’s a challenge for both teams, how about the Perth pitch? How is the stadium? Both teams know that. It will be difficult for the Indian team if the fast bowling of South Africa gives a hand here. It is doubtful whether the spin of the Indian team will be taken on those pitches. So this competition is very, very important.
South Africa next face Pakistan in Sydney on November 3. This is also a very important match for both the teams as India and Pakistan team will lose this match and it will be difficult to win this match. Pakistan’s fielding is definitely a concern. On the other hand, the fielding of the South African team has been tremendous for ages. This is what differentiates India and Pakistan from South Africa.
Also, it is a known fact that South Africa’s batting and bowling will be sophistry at the Australian stadiums where the World Cup will be held.
So if South Africa wins the Super 12 round and advances to the knock-out round, there is definitely a chance to mix it up. The expectation is that South Africa will beat whichever team they face and get a chance to win the World Cup for the first time. There is a hidden talent in that team and it is necessary for India and Pakistan teams to show their full strength against them.