Tag: South Africa

DUBAI: South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first against New Zealand in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 final here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka.

READ: Former legend questions England’s attacking approach after Pakistan loss

DUBAI: South Africa have won the toss and chose to bat first against Scotland in the 11th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

PLAYING XIs

Scotland: Saskia Horley, Sarah Bryce (wk), Kathryn Bryce (capt), Alisa Lister, Priyanaz Chatterji, Lorna Jack-Brown, Darcey Carter, Katherine Fraser, Rachel Slater, Abtaha Maqsood, Olivia Bell

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinolo Jafta (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka

READ: Brisbane-based Pakistanis show massive interest for first AUS vs PAK T20I

Former South Africa all-rounder and current batting coach Jean-Paul Duminy turned back the clock as he took the field for his side during the third ODI against Ireland in Abu Dhabi.

Duminy, who retired from all forms of cricket in July 2019, came in as a substitute fielder in the final overs of the Ireland innings due to hot and humid conditions, which forced some South African players to go out.

It’s worth noting that according to rules coaches or members of team management can take the field as substitutes in case of a shortage of players due to injury or any other reason.

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The 40-year-old coach not only took the field but made a stellar attempt to save the boundary with a dive at short third man, earning praise from commentators for his athleticism despite retiring five years ago.

Ireland, while batting first, managed to post 284-9, courtesy of captain Paul Stirling’s dashing 88 and Harry Trector’s quick-fire 60 off 48.

In response, South Africa were bundled out for 215 in 46.1 overs with only Jason Smith top-scoring with a brilliant 91-run knock from 93 balls.

Despite the loss, South Africa took the ODI series 2-1 with the two sides sharing the preceding T20 series 1-1.

READ: Women’s T20 World Cup: Nat Sciver-Brunt steers England to victory over South Africa

Ireland captain Paul Stirling led from the front with a dashing 88 as his side completed their ODI series against South Africa with a convincing 69-run win in the final match in Abu Dhabi on Monday. 

Chasing 285 to win, South Africa slipped to 126-6 with only a fine 91 from Jason Smith keeping them in the game.

But Smith was unable to prevent the Irish from claiming only their second ODI win over the Proteas.

“It’s a relief to get past it,” said Stirling. “We talked about just winning the game and getting the job done.”

“We let ourselves down in the first two games. We knew if we applied ourselves and kept our wickets in hand we’ll get the runs.”

Graham Hume, who was born in Johannesburg and played for South Africa Under 19s, was the pick of the Irish bowlers with 3-29 while Ulster-born Craig Young finished with 3-40.

South Africa took the ODI series 2-1 with the two sides sharing the preceding T20 series 1-1.

Stirling set the tone for Ireland’s 284-9 after he won the toss and decided to bat. That was in contrast to the first two matches when Ireland chased, failing to survive past 32 overs as they made 132 and 169 in reply to big South African scores.

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On Monday, Stirling and Andy Balbirnie put on 101 for the first wicket before Balbirnie fell to Lizaad Williams for a steady 45 from 73 balls.

Curtis Campher accelerated with 34 off 36 balls before he fell to Ottneil Baartman who then bowled Stirling in his next over. The captain had hit three sixes and eight fours in his innings.

Harry Tector kept Ireland moving with a 48-ball 60 while Williams, the only South African bowler to get through his full 10 overs, finished with 4-56.

South Africa’s reply was soon in disarray at 10-3 as Mark Adair removed Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen, standing in for injured captain Temba Bavuma. Reeza Hendricks edged Graham Hume to Balbirnie at second slip.

Kyle Verreynne (38) and Tristan Stubbs (20) steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership but once Verreynne was leg before to Young the wheels came off again.

At 126-6, South Africa looked out of it but Smith made sure the Irish would have to wait.

The 29-year-old from Western Province, who made nought in his only other ODI against Afghanistan last month, made the most of his chance after being drafted in following Wiaan Mulder return home for personal reasons.

Smith hammered his 91 from 93 balls with nine fours and four sixes before slicing Hume to Adair at third man.

READ: PCB Chairman opens up about Babar Azam’s replacement as captain

Hard-hitting South Africa batter David Miller has opened up on his dismissal in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final against India at Kensington Oval.

Miller was the lone hope for the Proteas after a disciplined Indian bowling attack forced an astounding comeback despite Heinrich Klaasen’s quickfire half-century.

South Africa, playing their first-ever final of an ICC tournament, needed 16 runs off the final over to win the World Cup for the first time.

The dramatic final over of the T20 World Cup 2024 saw Hardik Pandya bowling a low full-toss to David Miller, who launched the ball towards the long-off boundary.

Miller managed to get the elevation but failed to connect it properly as Suryakumar Yadav pulled off a stunner, lifting the Rohit Sharma-led India to restrict South Africa to 169/8 and win the T20 World Cup title, 17 years after winning the inaugural edition.

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Reflecting on the dismissal, David Miller shared that he experienced a range of emotions after getting dismissed.

“Pretty hard to explain, but yeah, I suppose anger is probably one of them. Frustration, disappointment, failure, all these negative things come into your head. I watch a lot of different sports and they always talk about the moment to win the game,” Miller said.

“And I suppose that was the moment to win the game. And it wasn’t to be for me. I took it pretty hard. I felt like I had let the country down, I had let myself and my teammates down. I almost just didn’t want to walk off the field,” he added.

When asked whether he thinks he should have played some other shot, David Miller shared that the only problem with the shot was his inability to get a better connection.

“No, I wouldn’t have, other than maybe getting a little bit better contact. I wasn’t actually expecting a full toss like that. I always do have a full toss in mind, but it caught me a little off guard and I got it just slightly wrong. But it was a little breeze that was kind of coming across us, not necessarily into us, more slightly in and across,” he added.

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The iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium is set to host its 250th ODI on Wednesday with Afghanistan taking on South Africa in the milestone match.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium was inaugurated in 1984 during the Asia Cup with Pakistan facing Sri Lanka. Since then the stadium has hosted a record 249 ODIs, which is the highest for any venue.

It’s worth noting that Zimbabwe’s Harare Sports Club is second on the list with 182 ODIs, while the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground is third with 161 matches.

Afghanistan, due to the situation in the country, host their matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India.

They will host South Africa in the three-match ODI series in Sharjah from September 18 to September 22.

Schedule of Afghanistan vs South Africa series

1st ODI — September 18

2nd ODI — September 20

3rd ODI— September 22

Squads

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

South Africa: Jason Smith, Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Andile Simelane, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Tristan Stubbs, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Nqaba Peter, Ottniel Baartman.

READ: Aakash Chopra ‘doubtful’ of India visiting Pakistan for Champions Trophy

Ace spinner Rashid Khan has been included in the Afghanistan squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa this month.

The 25-year-old leg-spinner missed the one-off Test against New Zealand in India, which is likely to be washed out after four days of rain delays, because of medical advice to rest his back. Rashid Khan underwent back surgery in November after the ODI World Cup in India.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said Rashid returns to the squad but opener Ibrahim Zadran will miss the series in Sharjah.

“Afghanistan will have the services of its all-time greatest spinner Rashid but prolific opener Zadran was ruled out due to an ankle sprain in his left leg,” the ACB said in a news release.

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Another spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, is still recovering from a finger sprain, it said.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the squad, while batters Darwish Rasooli and Abdul Malik, who played strongly in domestic one-day competitions, have been included in the squad.

Afghanistan and South Africa will square off in the three-match series at Sharjah Stadium from September 18-22.

Afghanistan Squad for South Africa series

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad.

READ: Champions Trophy 2025 will not be shifted from Pakistan, confirms ICC CEO

Pakistan is set to host South Africa for a three-match T20I series ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 3 to 20 October.

The South Africa team will arrive in Multan on 13 September, with matches scheduled for 16, 18, and 20 September.

To ensure all three matches are broadcast live and give exposure to women’s cricket, the matches on 16 and 18 September will start at 7 pm, while the match on 20 September will begin at 10 am.

After the series, South Africa will depart for the UAE on 21 September, while Pakistan will leave on 23 September.

Pakistan is in Group A of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, along with Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, while South Africa is grouped with Bangladesh, England, Scotland and the West Indies.

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Following warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh on 28 and 30 September, respectively, Pakistan will face Sri Lanka on 3 October in Sharjah, followed by matches against India on 6 October in Dubai, Australia on 11 October in Dubai and New Zealand on 14 October in Dubai.

Meanwhile, the PCB has confirmed that the squad announced for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will feature in the three-match series against South Africa.

To prepare for the home series and next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the Pakistan women’s training camp will commence at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 1 September.

Pakistan squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan

Travelling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wk) Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani

Player support personnel:

Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach – bowling), Hanif Malik (assistant coach – fielding), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Imran Khalil (strength and conditioning coach), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager), Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist) and Waleed Ahmed (analyst).

READ: India name squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

GUYANA: West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph marked his first taste of Test cricket on home soil with a five-wicket haul but South Africa hit back in kind as 17 wickets tumbled on a dramatic opening day of the second Test here on Thursday.

Fast bowler Joseph’s haul of five for 33 led the rout of the Proteas for 160 after they chose to bat first.

However, South African seamer Wiaan Mulder responded in kind with the excellent figures of four for 18 as the Caribbean side limped to 97 for seven in reply at the close.

Omitted for the rain-affected drawn first Test in Trinidad a week earlier, Joseph recaptured the form and energy of his debut series in Australia in January.

There he famously bowled the West Indies to their first Test success Down Under for 27 years on the final day of the second Test in Brisbane with an astonishing seven-wicket haul.

In the wake of a forgettable two Tests in England last month when he looked short of work and match fitness, the Guyanese pacer made amends as soon as he came on as first-change bowler on a steamy morning at the South American venue.

He removed opener Adrian Markram almost immediately and with fellow pacer Jayden Seales (3 for 45) offering excellent support, his consistent pace and full length proved more than a handful for the South Africans in conditions which were surprisingly helpful to the fast bowlers.

“It’s a great feeling to have done this at home,” said 24-year-old Shamar Joseph in reflecting on his third five-wicket Test innings haul.

“I haven’t really played much here at Providence but I always go in with a clear plan to do what the team needed, and I am glad I was able to deliver today.”

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It took a last-wicket partnership of 63 by Dane Piedt (38 not out) and Nandre Burger (23) to lift the visitors past the hundred-run mark.

Ironically, both players were selected for this match primarily for their bowling after batsman Ryan Rickelton and fast bowler Lungi Ngidi were dropped from the first Test side.

Fuelled by that late resistance, the South African bowlers ripped through the West Indies’ top-order batting.

Burger was the first to strike when he scattered the stumps of Mikyle Louis but it was the introduction of Mulder in place of the luckless Kagiso Rabada which saw the South Africa surge back.

Following the pattern set earlier in the day by Shamar Joseph, the medium-pacer offered the ideal combination of movement through the air and off the seam to have the hosts tottering at 56 for six, bettering his previous best of a three for one, also against the West Indies three years earlier in St Lucia.

“I didn’t bowl at my best but I had a lot going for me today,” Mulder admitted in reflecting on his career-best Test bowling performance.

“I just tried to replicate what Shamar did earlier in the day by bowling a length which made it difficult for the batters to score. He’s obviously quicker than I am but the pitch also helped by style of bowling so I was able to capitalise.”

Jason Holder (33 not out) and Gudakesh Motie averted a complete collapse, although Motie’s demise in the last over of the day to Keshav Maharaj places an even greater responsibility on the shoulders of former captain Holder to get whatever he can with the tail on the second morning to minimise the first innings deficit.

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