Bangladesh won the toss at Lord’s and, without much hesitation, decided to put runs on the board in their final group game of this T20 World Cup against South Africa. The equation is simple enough: South Africa have to win to stay in the semi-final hunt, while Bangladesh are already out but would rather end on a positive note. India, who play Australia later in the day, will keep one eye on events in north-west London.
There’s only one tweak to the Bangladesh XI. Taj Nehar returns, replacing Dilara Akter at the top of the order and giving the tourists a left-right opening combination. South Africa, buoyed by the 88-run victory over the Netherlands in Bristol on Thursday, name the same eleven. Coach Hilton Moreeng had hinted at continuity and has stuck to it.
Conditions look friendly enough: mild, bright and on the very strip that produced 334 runs when England beat West Indies last Wednesday. In theory that should please both batting units, though Laura Wolvaardt’s side might secretly have preferred a surface with a bit more nip, given their seam-heavy attack.
For anyone keeping a scorecard handy, here are the line-ups.
Bangladesh: 1 Taj Nehar, 2 Juairiya Ferdous, 3 Sharmin Akhter, 4 Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), 5 Sobhana Mostary, 6 Ritu Moni, 7 Shorna Akter, 8 Rabeya Khan, 9 Nahida Akter, 10 Marufa Akter, 11 Sanjida Akter Meghla.
South Africa: 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Annerie Dercksen, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Nadine de Klerk, 6 Chloe Tryon, 7 Dane van Niekerk, 8 Sinalo Jafta (wk), 9 Shabnim Ismail, 10 Ayabonga Khaka, 11 Nonkululeko Mlaba.
A straightforward brief, then: win and stay alive—or pack the bags.
