We take a look at the two ICC T20 World Cup matches taking place on Tuesday and suggest a bet in each.
SOUTH AFRICA v BANGLADESH
South Africa sit 2nd on the table in Group 1 and they will know that a defeat to Bangladesh, who have yet to win a match, would probably be fatal to their chances of making the semi-finals.
This game takes place in Abu Dhabi and South Africa have bounced back from an opening defeat to Australia to comfortably beat the West Indies and then they got the better of Sri Lanka in their most recent encounter.
South Africa won the toss and elected to field first and they restricted Sri Lanka to 142 runs off their 20 overs with Shamsi and Pretorius each picking up 3 sticks at economical run rates. The Proteas were really never in control of the chase as they lost regular wickets, but captain, Temba Bavuma with 46 at a run a ball and a quick fire 23 by David Miller off 13 balls eventually saw them home with 4 wickets and 1 ball to spare.
They face a Bangladesh side that lost to Sri Lanka by 5 wickets before getting annihilated by England in an 8 wicket defeat.
They then played the West Indies in a clash they had to win and after winning the toss decided to send the West Indies into bat. This appeared to have paid off as they had the West Indies at 32 for 3 in the 7th over, but they allowed their opponents to reach 142 for 7 in the end. Three bowlers got 2 wickets each with Islam with his 2 for 20 off 4 overs the most economical.
Bangladesh got off to a solid start, but then lost regular wickets and despite a brave 31 off 24 balls by Captain, Mahmudullah, they fell 4 runs short of victory.
South Africa have never lost to Bangladesh in T20 cricket.
BETTING - Click here to bet
South Africa 3/10
Bangladesh 26/10
Suggested Bet: Player to Score the Most 6’s, Quinton de Kock at 6/1
With South Africa strong favourites here I am going to look to the Exotic Markets on offer and then after a disappointing return to the team against Sri Lanka I am looking for Quinton de Kock to get amongst the runs and also clear the boundaries.
Suggested Bet: Top Home Bowler, Shamsi at 11/4
Shamsi continues to bowl excellently and I expect the Bangladesh team to go after him as they fancy themselves against the spin bowlers and this could open up opportunities for wickets.
PAKISTAN v NAMIBIA
The second match of the day features Pakistan against Namibia in Abu Dhabi and given that Pakistan are 1/20 favourites this is a less attractive betting heat.
Pakistan are of course 3 from 3 and sitting at the top of Group 2 while Namibia have played two games, beating Scotland and getting badly beaten by Afghanistan.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Pakistan 1/20
Namibia 10/1
Suggested Bet: Top Home Batsman, Babar Azam at 18/10
Azam looked excellent in the opening game, but hasn’t quite fired as I expected him to and I am looking for him to put that right against a Namibian attack that he should get on top on from the start.
Suggested Bet: Pre-Match Handicap, Namibia (+7.5) Wickets/45.5 runs at 9/10
I am basing this bet purely on the fact that Pakistan are the sort of side that tend to make hard weather of the expected easier matches. I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose their concentration at some point against this Namibian team.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
