Big picture – History, conditions against Zimbabwe
South Africa have had a near-perfect tournament so far. Fifty games in, they are the only unbeaten side in this 20-team T20 World Cup and are poised to enter the semi-finals with a spotless record. On Sunday, Aiden Markram’s men will meet their neighbours Zimbabwe, who last beat South Africa in international cricket way back in 2000. Overall, Zimbabwe have beaten South Africa just twice in 58 completed international matches.
Apart from history, the conditions and recent form are also against Zimbabwe. After toppling Australia and Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe have struggled across the board in India. Having suffered back-to-back defeats on flatter pitches at the Wankhede and Chepauk, Zimbabwe were knocked out of contention for the semi-finals.
Their bowlers conceded back-to-back 250-plus totals against West Indies and India. The indiscipline has seeped into their fielding as well: after dropping just one catch in the group stage, Zimbabwe have shelled at least five chances in two matches in the Super Eight. Yet they have had plenty of reasons to celebrate, including avoiding going through the qualifiers for the 2028 T20 World Cup.
South Africa may rest some of their key players as they did earlier in another dead rubber against UAE in Delhi.
Form guide – South Africa on a roll
South AfricaWWWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Zimbabwe LLWWW
Corbin Bosch has been sensational in the death•AFP/Getty Images
In the spotlight – Corbin Bosch and Brad Evans
A late bloomer in international cricket, allrounder Corbin Bosch has barely been needed with the bat in this competition, but has been South Africa’s go-to bowler in the death overs. He has bowled 54 balls between overs 16 and 20, conceding just 56 runs while taking three wickets. Lungi Ngidi’s variations have grabbed the headlines, but Bosch has certainly played his part with variations of his own, especially the yorker.Brad Evans also has a good slower ball in his repertoire, but didn’t find grip at Wankhede or Chepauk. His slower ones slid onto the bat, making it easier for batters to line him up. Can he find a way to be more potent in these conditions and sign off on a high?
Team news – SA may empty their bench again
With not much riding on this fixture, South Africa may empty their bench again and keep some of their first-choice players fresh for the knockouts. Jason Smith, Kwena Maphaka, George Linde and Anrich Nortje all could add to their caps.
South Africa (probable): 1 Aiden Markram (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Ryan Rickelton, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 Jason Smith/David Miller, 6 Tristan Stubbs, 7 Marco Jansen/Kwena Maphaka, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Keshav Maharaj/George Linde, 11 Lungi Ngidi/Anrich Nortje
The presence of four left-handers in South Africa’s top seven may keep left-arm fingerspinner Wellington Masakadza on the bench. Zimbabwe, though, may consider bringing wristspinner Graeme Cremer back in place of medium-pacer Tinotenda Maposa.
Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), 3 Dion Myers, 4 Ryan Burl, 5 Sikandar Raza (capt), 6 Tony Munyonga, 7 Tashinga Musekiwa, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Graeme Cremer, 10 Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Richard Ngarava
Brian Bennett is Zimbabwe’s highest run-scorer of the tournament•AFP/Getty Images
Pitch and conditions
The last time South Africa played in Delhi, their bowlers enjoyed the pace and bounce that the venue offered. Substantial bounce could also keep Zimbabwe’s tall pace pack interested. Zimbabwe’s fielders may also be more comfortable with an afternoon game. After the multiple drops against West Indies and India, Zimbabwe’s fielding coach Stuart Matsikenyeri suggested that their players don’t have a lot of exposure to catching under lights, but refused to use that as an excuse. The weather is expected to be fine for the duration of this game.
Stats and trivia
- With 277 runs in five innings, Brian Bennett has toppled the Zimbabwe record for the most runs by a player in a T20 World Cup
- Ngidi is one wicket away from surpassing Tabraiz Shamsi as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is. They are currently at 89 strikes
- Markram’s strike rate of 178.37 is the best among 11 openers who have faced at least 100 balls in the tournament
Quotes
“They [Zimbabwe] have done their bit to qualify for the Super Eights. They’ll be disappointed that they don’t have an opportunity to go further in the tournament. But we want to ensure that we maintain our discipline and intensity.”
South Africa’s batting coach Ashwell Prince
“The conditions over here in India is different from what we had in Sri Lanka. It took a while for us to adapt. We didn’t adapt as quickly as we wanted to. I still think the boys did the best they could. Hopefully, we’ve taken away from these conditions here for future references.”
Zimbabwe’s bowling consultant Courtney Walsh
Deivarayan Muthu is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
