This article will talk about the probable XIs for both teams and continue with the Dream11 predictions and the winning fantasy team for the 2nd T20I between Ireland and South Africa that is scheduled to take place on the 22nd of July 2021.
After a close ODI series in which both teams shared honors, the Proteas came back strongly in the 1st match of the T20I series winning it by 33 runs. South Africa got out to a blistering start after being put in to bat but had a bad phase in the middle-overs. Many got starts but none played an impactful knock and it took a 9-ball 19 from Kagiso Rabada at the end to lift them to 165.
And it proved enough as the hosts lost their top-5 in less than 10 overs with Tabraiz Shamsi turning a web. He picked 4 wickets in the match and got support from his fellow spinner George Linde who picked 2. If not for a 44-run last-wicket stand, Ireland wouldn’t have even crossed 100 in their chase.
The Proteas led by Tenba Bavuma will look to win their 2nd T20 series in a span of few weeks by clinching the series on Thursday at Belfast. While the hosts will want their top-order batters to step up if they are to level the series 1-1.
Match Details
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Pitch and Weather: This will be the first time a game will be played at this venue. Historically the pitches in Belfast have not been high-scoring ones. The average score has been in the range of 140-150 and most likely will be the case in this game as well. It should assist pacers initially. The weather will be clear on the match-day and we can expect a complete game of cricket without any rain interruptions. The temperature is expected to set around 27C.
Date and Time: July 22, 2021, 4.00 PM Local, 8.30 PM IST
Probable Playing XIs
Ireland may look to bring back their strike bowler Craig Young in place of Shane Getkate for the 2nd T20I. Other than this, they may no make any changes despite the loss.
The visitors may go with an unchanged side after their comprehensive win in the first game of the series. But given their nature to rotate their fast bowlers, Anrich Norte could come in place of either Kagiso Rabada or Lungi Ngidi.
Ireland: Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, Andrew Balbirnie(C), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(WK), Simi Singh, George Dockrell, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little, Craig Young/Shane Getkate, Mark Adair
South Africa: Temba Bavuma(C), Quinton De Kock(WK), Aiden Markram, Janneman Malan , Rassie Van Der Dussen, David Miller, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Bjorn Fortuin
Match Prediction
South Africa will odds on favorite to make it 2-0 and win the series with a match to go. But one can’t count out the Irish, especially with the way they fought in the ODIs. So we can expect a much closer game than it was on Monday.
Fantasy Tips
Batsmen: Russie Van der Dussen is the highest-ranked batsman from either side set of players featuring in this match. He got a start in the first T20I as well scoring 25. David Miller is the finisher in the South African ranks and this is his most favored format. So they both can be picked along with Aiden Markram, who top-scored for the Proteas in the last game. The skipper of Ireland Andrew Balbirnie can be the batsman from Ireland in the fantasy XI.
Wicket-Keeper: Quinton De Kock will be the best pick from the wicket-keeping section. He is expected to continue his run-scoring spree in this format.
All-rounders: Mark Adair is a genuine wicket-taker and can score at a fast pace. The other one can be George Linde, a useful batsman to go with his bowling skills. Both of them contributed to their respective team in the 1st T20I of the series. Simi Singh scored a cracking century, albeit in a losing cause in the 3rd ODI can be picked as well.
Bowlers: The no.1 ranked T20 bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, along with Kagiso Rabada can be picked from South Africa as genuine wicket-takers. They picked 4 and 1 wicket respectively. From Ireland Josh Little, who picked 2 wickets and scored some runs can be picked.
Captaincy Choices
Fantasy Team: Quinton De Kock(c), Aiden Markram, Rassie Van Der Dussen, David Miller,Andrew Balbilrnie, Simi Singh George Linde, Mark Adair, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Little
Captain– Tabraiz Shamsi
The number 1 ranked T20I bowler can be made the captain of the fantasy side after his exemplary show in the 1st T20I. The chinaman bowler has been brilliant in this format throughout the year.
Vice-Captain – Quinton De Kock
The in-form Quinton De Kock can be picked as vice-captain of the side. He was the highest run-scorer for the Proteas in their last T20 series against West Indies.
Dream11 Team
