Ahmedabad: South Africa are coming off a double Super Over escape against Afghanistan while New Zealand have been ruthless.In South Africa’s case, both teams made 187, the first Super Over was tied and the Proteas finally edged the second. Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61) laid the base while Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 84 dragged Afghanistan back in the contest.
On the other hand, New Zealand chased down 183 against Afghanistan with 13 balls to spare, powered by Tim Seifert’s 65 and Glenn Phillips’ 42. Then, Seifert (89*) and Finn Allen (84*) smashed 175/0 to overhaul UAE’s 174-run target with 28 balls remaining.With both sides unbeaten, the winner should comfortably take Group D top spot. South Africa have won all four of their previous T20 World Cup meetings.TOI takes a look at the key match-ups:NZ openers vs SA pacersAllen and Seifert have attacked the Powerplay. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen need early wickets.NZ middle and lower order vs Keshav Maharaj & Co.Phillips, Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman provide the punch but spin could still be the decider. Maharaj’s left-arm spin will be tested while NZ may use Glenn Phillips’ part-time spin sparingly.SA openers vs NZ pacers.De Kock and Rickelton have started briskly. Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Lockie Ferguson must hit the deck in the Powerplay.The subplot is in the dugout, Rob Walter, South Africa’s former limited-overs coach, is now in charge of New Zealand. Pacer Henry said he expected another tight game, “as usual”.
