Bangladesh v South Africa T20 World Cup Tips: Ngidi to the fore

• South Africa need big win
• Pace an issue for Bangladesh
• Ngidi eyecatching at 7/2

South Africa v Bangladesh
Thursday 27 September, 04:00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Team news

South Africa suffered a potentially disastrous washout against Zimbabwe. They were well on top but couldn't stay out there long enough for the win in an overs-reduced game.

Also as damaging could be their continual selection of skip Temba Bavuma. But at least they went with out-and-out wicket-taker Lungi Ngidi. They need a big win to boost net run rate as it could be important.

Probable XI: De Kock, Bavuma, Rossouw, Markram, Miller, Stubbs, Parnell, Maharaj, Rabada, Nortje, Ngidi

Bangladesh squeezed home against the Netherlands in their first match. It was hardly a performance which suggested an upturn in form, however.

They have abandoned the experiment with Mehidy Hasan Miraz as opener. They do have decent hitting ability lower down with Nurul and Mosaddek.

Probable XI: Shanto, Sarkar, Das, Shakib, Afif, Yasir, Nurul, Mosaddek, Taskin, Hasan, Mustafizur

Pitch report

The SCG surface looked like a belter for batting when the Kiwis piled on 200 against the Aussies in the opener. South Africa batting first should target at least 170. The par line may be set in the low 160s. Twelve of the last 21 first-innings have seen 160 or more busted. Ten of those were won by the side batting second.

How to play

South Africa are 1.222/9 and Bangladesh 5.49/2. The good news for South Africa is that the weather forecast is good with no rain expected. There is no bad news - Bangladesh are dreadful. We wouldn't even advise a trade here.

South Africa to win by five-wickets/41-50 runs, six wickets/51-60 or four wickets/31-40 are all 7/1 with Sportsbook and stakes could be split across the three.

Tops value

Bangladesh have struggled against high-octane pace in the past. Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabda took three apiece in the last meet. But we're keen on Ngidi here who appears to have been given licence. He is 7/2 for top bowler and 14s for man of the match.

Mosaddek has gone from 66s to 35s for top Bangaldesh bat and we'll risk a small stake. There's a chne he could bat up the order, too. For South Africa Quinton de Kock pulverised Zimbabwe and looks in the mood. He has been boosted to 5/2.