How This Works!
This post is set to go before each match. I briefly breakdown the batting and bowling attack of each squad and how they relate to each other before selecting who I think is going to win. Because cricket can be won by a number of wickets (if you’re chasing) or runs (if you’re defending), I’m simply going to select who I think is going to win outright, not in the manner, or by how many runs, they’re going to win by. Makes sense? (Quickly moves on before acknowledging any questions) Great! Let’s get started!
Bowling:
Bangladesh Bowlers/All Rounders: Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Saifuddin, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Shakib al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan
South Africa Bowlers/All Rounders: Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phelukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, JP Duminy
ICC Ranking Average: (Measured by taking the top 5 bowlers in ICC’s player ratings. Those 5 rankings are then averaged out. The lower the number, the better. If a player is marked out, Dale Steyn in this case, they are not included in the ranking, as they are not effecting the match.)
Bangladesh
- Mustafizur Rahman: 11
- Shakib al Hasan: 19
- Mehidy Hasan: 23
- Mashrafe Mortaza: 24
- Rubel Hossain: 63
- Avg: 28
South Africa
- Imran Tahir: 4
- Kagiso Rabada: 5
- Andile Phelukwayo: 20
- Lungi Ngidi: 25
- Dwaine Pretorius: 52
- Avg: 21
Breakdown: Closer than expected at first glance! South Africa lead from the top with Tahir and Rabada both ranked in the top 5. Meanwhile, Bangladesh look to Rahman and all-rounding wizard al Hasan to take key wickets. As always, a lot depends on the pitch.
Advantage: South Africa. It’s hard to pick against Tahir and Rabada. Sure, South Africa got shelled against England, but Bangladesh doesn’t have the batters England do. Speaking of batters…
Batters:
Bangladesh Batters/All Rounders: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Shakib al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan
South Africa Batters/All Rounders: Faf Du Plessis ©, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (WK), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy
ICC Ranking Average: (See rules for bowlers above and replace that with batters. You got it!)
Bangladesh
- Mushfiqur Rahim: 20
- Tamim Iqbal: 23
- Soumya Sarkar: 32
- Shakib al Hasan: 34
- Mahmudullah: 49
- Avg: 31.6
South Africa
- Quinton de Kock: 4
- Faf du Plessis: 6
- David Miller: 33
- Rassie van der Dussen: 50
- JP Duminy: 64
- Avg: 31.4
Breakdown: Wow, we had to go to decimals to find a winner! With Amla most likely out, that weakens South Africa’s batting arsenal. Without him, they look much more pedestrian. Bangladesh are solid and strong, although lacking much flair.
Advantage: South Africa. I nearly went with Bangladesh here. They played up to par during the last major tournament in England and much of those batters are back. However, South Africa faces a slightly weaker bowling attack and, even with Amla out, are the stronger side because of that.
The American Slogger 