T20 World Cup: South Africa v UAE

South Africa’s impressive progress at the T20 World Cup has resulted in early qualification for the Super Eights and that could enable them to rest players for tomorrow’s final Group D clash with the United Arab Emirates.

Aiden Markram’s men have won all three of their games so far and, although this crash-bang-wallop format makes it difficult to be constantly in control, they have looked like a team that could threaten tournament favourites India.

Their progress to the next stage was confirmed yesterday when Afghanistan beat the UAE to secure the Proteas a top-two finish in their pool.

South Africa come into the game on the back of a statement performance against New Zealand – a seven-wicket win in Ahmedabad built around some superb bowling from Marco Jansen (four for 40) and a brutal 44-ball 86 not out from Markram.

“We were definitely a lot closer to our fullest potential [against New Zealand],” said Markram. “In all areas we were really good and it just came from clarity and conviction in our plan. So it’s nice to see the boys slowly but surely improving.”

The UAE game takes place in Delhi and Jansen knows field placements will be key.

The let-armer said: “It’s a smaller ground and the ball flies a lot further. From a bowling point of view it’s always going to be tricky playing in Delhi. Having played there a couple of times now [through the Indian Premier League], the wicket is going to be good.

“We might just play around with field placements and get those angles exactly right. In Delhi, if your angles are in the wrong spot, the ball can fly everywhere.”

Whatever line-up South Africa choose, it will be a tough test for the UAE but coach Lalchand Rajput believes his team have done themselves and Associate cricket proud.

They have one win to their name – against Canada – while the likes of Nepal, the United States and Italy have pushed the more established world order.

“I’m not surprised with [how the] Associate teams [have performed] because we play among the associates. It’s a big platform for the Associates to show off their talent. And I think they have done that,” Rajput said. 

“If you look at overall cricket all over the world, the smaller teams are really coming up. It’s a good thing that cricket is growing and that Associate countries have put their hands up and said: ‘don’t take us lightly’.”

The UAE were disappointing against New Zealand in their opener but a win against the Canadians and a strong showing against Afghanistan offered promise.

“The last two games, we really proved that we are a better team than what was expected after the first game,” Rajput said. “Associate countries should play more matches. Until you play more matches, you will not know how to deal with those [close] situations. You can do a net-match-up but how do you come out of a tight situation like 80 for five? Or how do you win in the last two overs? You don’t get that until you’re on the ground, until you feel it, that’s why you want to play more matches.”

Team News for South Africa v UAE

South Africa’s players shouldn’t be overly fatigued given the short nature of the games and with their most recent outing coming on Saturday.

But they may choose to give some squad players the chance to impress. Prodigy Kwena Maphaka and his more experienced fellow fast-bowler Anrich Nortje may get an opportunity, as could bit-hitting middle-order batter Jason Smith.

The UAE will go with a similar XI that performed well against Afghanistan.