For a moment, imagine that you are a member of the South Africa team. It’s been barely 24 hours since you put up a gargantuan score on the board.
And, it’s been around the same time since the cruel side of the game popped up in your face to remind you that no total is a safe total.
How exactly does 229 for four not get you over the line?
How can you possibly not defend such a tally with an attack comprising the best fast bowler of his generation?
Well, now we know whoever labelled cricket a funny game was not hallucinating.
Somehow, just somehow, South Africa will have to lift its collective spirit and start afresh when it takes on Afghanistan in a Super 10s Group 1 clash at the Wankhede here on Sunday afternoon.
Lest we forget, it’s a must-win game for the perennial chokers of world cricket.
It’s South Africa’s turn
They just can’t afford another slip-up.
Funnily enough, South Africa finds itself in the same position England was after experiencing a Chris Gayle-shaped nightmare on Wednesday night.
England overcame that disappointment in some style two days later. And, now, it’s South Africa’s turn to turn over a new leaf.
Motley crew
Up against the Proteas will be a motley crew of players who’ve spent a lot of time in pitiful surroundings where a day spent alive is a day spent well.
From fiery frontlines to refugee camps, this bunch led by the mercurial Asghar Stanikzai and coached by the legendary Inzamam-ul-Haq, has indeed come a long way.
For a side that’s already done its bit by winning all its games in the qualifying round, upsetting the proverbial applecart will be the top priority.
South Africa’s batsmen are in top-notch form, and if they can summon even some of that spunk they displayed against England, then Afghanistan can bid its chances goodbye.
A 3 p.m. start means dew will not be a factor.
The Proteas may be itching to give left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso, or one of the other seamers (Rilee Rossouw/David Wiese), a look-in.
Well, someone from the attack which couldn’t defend 229 has to pay. Who will it be?
The teams:
Afghanistan: Asghar Stanikzai (captain), Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Karim Sadiq, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shenwari, Shafiqullah, Shapoor Zadran, Usman Ghani.
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), A.B. de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, David Wiese.
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