1st ODI: South Africa vs Bangladesh | Squads | Players to watch | Fantasy Playing XI | Live Streaming

The first leg of Bangladesh’s tour of South Africa saw the two sides share the 3-match Twenty20 Internationals (T20I) series 1-all. The 2nd leg of the series kicks off on the 16th of December 2023, at Buffalo Park, East London, with the first of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Live action for the game commences at 5:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).

Squads:

South Africa – Laura Wolvaardt (C), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine De Klerk, Mieke De Ridder (WK), Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khakha, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Delmi Tucker

Bangladesh – Nigar Sultana Joty (C), Nahida Akter (VC), Shamima Sultana, Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Lata Mondol, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Shorifa Khatun, Sumaiya Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Disha Biswas

Players to watch out:

Marizanne Kapp

The 33-year-old all-rounder, in ODIs, in 115 outings with the bat, averaging 32.45, has racked up 2661 runs, including the highest of 102*, and with the ball, in 129 innings, has picked up 149 wickets, with the best being 5/45. Marizanne in the recently concluded Women’s Big Bash League was in top form with the ball, but runs off her blade had dried up. The team will hope she rediscovers her form with the bat in this game.

Nadine De Klerk

The 23-year-old all-rounder has accumulated 351 runs from 22 batting outings, and maintaining an economy rate of 4.62, she has taken 36 wickets in 27 bowling innings. In the lead-up to the game, in a few domestic game appearances, Nadine managed a couple of scores in the 30s and while only bagged a wicket, sent down economical spells, and will be counted on to carry forward the form into the ODIs.

Also Read: Cricket South Africa prepares for 3rd Edition of Women Super League T20

Fargana Hoque Pinky

The 30-year-old batter, averaging 26.47, has amassed 1350 runs from 56 outings, with the highest score of 107. She averages 45.00 this year in ODIs, scoring 315 runs against quality attacks of India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Fargana got the much-needed game time ahead of the ODIs in a 50-over warm-up game and top-scored with a 53. It’ll be expected of her to capitalize on this score and post a significant one.

Nahida Akter

The 23-year-old left-arm off-spinner, averaging 20.64, has claimed 48 wickets from 35 outings, maintaining an economy rate of 3.66 and producing the best of 5/21. She can also be a handy contributor with the bat. Nahida has had a quiet series thus far, picking up only a wicket from 2 T20I outings. However, in the warm-up clash, she returned figures of 2/39 (8) and will be relied upon for the goods in the ODIs.

Pitch:

The Buffalo Park dishes a well-balanced center wicket that features a fair contest between bat and ball. It offers favorable conditions for pacers to excel, while batters also find delight in the pitch, with an average score in the 220s.

Weather:

It will be a pleasant day for cricket at Buffalo Park with no expected rain interruptions, despite mostly cloudy skies. The temperature will be around 23°C, with moderate winds and a humidity level of 79%.

Fantasy playing XI:

Nigar Sultana Joty, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Marizanne Kapp, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Nadine De Klerk, Nahida Akter, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Rabeya Khan