South Africa look to carry ODI momentum into T20I series

OverviewSouth Africa v Zimbabwe
1st T20I
Buffalo Park, East London
Tuesday, 9 October, 06:00 PM local time, 04:00 PM GMT

South Africa will be pleased with their bowling display through the ODI series, where they picked up 30 wickets in three games. Imran Tahir – the Player of the Series – picked up 10 wickets, and the 39-year-old, No.9 in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's T20I Rankings for bowlers, will be South Africa's trump card going into the T20I series as well.

And he'll get a lot of support from the fast men. Lungi Ngidi and Andile Phehlukwayo, who impressed a lot in the ODI series, will spearhead the pace attack even as Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn sit out.

While South Africa have been great with the ball, their batting has been a cause for concern. They suffered hiccup after hiccup against Zimbabwe in the ODIs, even collapsing in the first match. Heinrich Klaasen, who scored his maiden ODI half-century in the last game in Paarl, will be eager to perform in his comfort zone in the shortest format of the game. Opener Quinton de Kock will be keen to step it up a notch at the top of the order.

Veteran batsmen like Jean-Pail Duminy and Faf du Plessis must hit the ground running in the first T20I. Many promising youngsters like Junior Dala, Robert Frylinck, Christiaan Jonker and Dane Peterson, who are a part of the T20I squad, and likely to get a look in at some stage too.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, have put together a competitive side in the shortest format of the game. They will focus on improving their batting in the three-match series, especially since half of South Africa's bowling attack from the ODIs will not be around. Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams, who were impressive in Paarl, will be expected to bring their experience to the fore in East London.

Chamu Chibhabha, who has featured in 138 internationals for Zimbabwe, will be a direct replacement for Craig Ervine at the top of the order, and skipper Hamilton Masakadza, who had scores of 25, 27, and 28 in the three ODIs, should also aim to get a significant score in the first 20-over game.

Zimbabwe will be pleased with their bowling effort in the ODI series, where they picked up 21 wickets in the three matches. Pacer Tendai Chatara was particularly impressive, with six wickets in three games. But the batsmen must raise their game to push South Africa hard.

Key players

**Imran Tahir (South Africa):**The leg-spinner, who has a bowling average of 15.85 in the shortest format of the game, will be the vital cog in the bowling wheel. He was immensely effective throughout the ODI series and should carry his form in the T20Is.

**Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe):**Masakadza, Zimbabwe's highest-ranked batsman, will be their best chance of putting up a fight against the hosts. He will look to capitalise on the inexperienced bowling in the opposition camp and be the pivot around which the big-hitters revolve.

Conditions

There is no forecast of rain on Tuesday, and the temperature should hover around 28°C during the match hours. Whoever bat first will look to score a high total – in the last game played at the venue, South Africa put up a total of 369/9 in 50 overs against Bangladesh in October 2017.

Squads

**South Africa:**Faf du Plessis (c), Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock, Jean-Paul Duminy, Robert Frylinck, Imran Tahir, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gihahn Cloete, Rassie van der Dussen

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Solomon Mire, Neville Madziva, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Chris Mpofu, Chamu Chibhabha, Wellington Masakadza, Tarisai Musakanda, Tendai Chatara