WT20WC 2024 Day 10 Preview: Important day as New Zealand, Proteas press semi-final claims

A South Africa win could be enough for Laura Wolvaardt's team to seal final-four tickets at the competition, while Bangladesh would need a big net run rate-boosting win among other results going their way to have a chance to progress in Group B.

In Group A meanwhile, New Zealand take on an already-eliminated Sri Lanka, where the White Ferns can keep the pressure on in Sharjah.

New Zealand v Sri Lanka

Match Centre and Scorecard

New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Saturday 12 October (14:00 local) Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

All eyes will be on the White Ferns in the Sharjah heat, who can go closer to a semi-final spot with a victory over Sri Lanka in the first match of the day.

Despite a heavy loss to Australia and sitting in fourth place on the Group A table, Sophie Devine's team still have their tournament fate effectively in their own hands, with wins over their next opponents going a long way to challenging India and Australia.

Also taking on Pakistan in their final group game, four points from the rest of their group stage campaign is a possibility for Devine's team, who would also be eager watchers of the Australia/India fixture later on in the tournament schedule.

The White Ferns take on a Sri Lanka side with only pride to play for having been mathematically eliminated already, and while a victory at the tournament would still be of utmost importance to Chamari Athapaththu and her team, their tournament scenario may hand opportunities to fringe members of the squad.

The Asia Cup 2024 champions have been far from their best, particularly with the bat with no player scoring at better than a run a ball or averaging over 30. Athapaththu in particular has been stifled, making scores of just 6, 3 and 1 in the campaign.

While the skipper and two of her teammates (Udeshika Prabodhani and Sugandika Kumari) have taken four wickets each in the three appearances, there has been a lack of cut-through with the ball, most notably when they leaked 172/3 against India.

What They Said

New Zealand’s Maddy Green: “I think we're just trying to win every game we play. The conversations about net run rate will happen later in the tournament, but we're just focused on tomorrow, making sure we're winning that game. We've sort of talked about as a group just one game at a time, just being really focused on that. Yeah, and it's most important to get the win first.”

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu: “Usually, if I score, the other players score too, it’s easy for us to win the matches. In this tournament, our first second third and fourth players were not there in the scores. That's why I think we lost the tournament.”

The Squads

New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Madhavi, Nilakshika de Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Vishmi Gunaratne, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana

Bangladesh v South Africa

Match Centre and Scorecard

Bangladesh v South Africa, Saturday 12 October (18:00 local) Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

With fellow rivals England and West Indies meeting each other at the end of the group stage, South Africa know a win could be enough against Bangladesh in their Dubai evening clash.

The Proteas have certainly threatened to at least emulate their runners-up effort from last year's tournament, making light work of the West Indies and Scotland, and only falling to England in the final over in their encounter on October 8.

Laura Wolvaardt has led from the front in the campaign, scoring a tournament-high 141 runs in her three knocks, at an average of 70.50 and striking a touch under 117. Tazmin Brits (113 runs) has followed suit, with the likes of Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus accelerating at strike rates of 168.29 and 126.66 respectively. With the ball, unsung Protea hero Nonkuleko Mlaba has enjoyed the spotlight of the UAE tournament, taking eight wickets at an average of under eight.

It would take a monumental effort to make the semi-finals, but progress is at least mathematically possible for Bangladesh. A win by 68 or more runs or a successful chase in around 8.2 overs would move their net run rate at least past South Africa's, although they would require one of West Indies and England to finish on four points and with a net run rate blow significant enough to see it finish below Bangladesh's.

Nigar Sultana Joty's side were opening day winners over Scotland, though struggled in defeats to England and the West Indies.

Runs have been hard to come by for the team outside of Sobhana Mostary, though there have been positives for youngsters with the ball, with Marufa Akter and Rabeya Khan in the wickets, which bodes well for future tournaments.

What They Said

Bangladesh coach Hashan Tillakaratne: “We need to play for our pride against South Africa. We have beaten them once, so it's up to all of us to get together and put up a better show. We know there are certain things that we can't control, but we can control our own game and play to our potential.”

South Africa Player Sinalo Jafta: “I think for us as a team we have this thing of when our backs are up against the wall, we always come back guns blazing.”

The Squads

Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Dilara Akter, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani, Disha Biswas

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon

WATCH: Playing shirt has special meaning for Nonkululeko Mlaba

The T20 World Cup will see 23 matches held in total over 18 days, with all matches in the two host cities of Dubai and Sharjah.

Fans can purchase tickets online or directly at the stadiums, for more information on where to buy click here.