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So, that marks the end of our coverage from the warm-up fixture of Cricket World Cup 2023 between South Africa and Afghanistan. This is me Saptak Sanyal, signing off alongside my co-commentator Deepak Prakash and our scorer/analyst Ashok Dayma. Stay tuned for the coverage of Cricket World Cup 2023 and many more matches around the globe.
15:53 Local Time | The news from the centre is that today's warm-up fixture between South Africa and Afghanistan for the Cricket World Cup 2023 is abandoned due to rain and wet outfield. Umpires are shaking hands together with the groundsmen and then with the players to call the match off.
3:31 PM IST: Nothing to update as it is still raining. Anil Chaudhary is seen talking to the head of the groundsmen. The chances are looking very bleak now.
3:01 PM IST: The live picture shows the covers are firmly placed but it seems the rain has eased off a bit. The three umpires are seen talking at the edge of the boundary rope. Oh, it's still drizzling at the moment.
Saptak- Oh!! As I said, predicting the semifinalists is a very very tough job. All the teams are very close and thus, I think this is going to be a fiercely competitive World Cup!
Deepak: So, you have already sidelined Pakistan from the top four. 👀 To be honest, I don't want to be in the place of picking the semifinalists but I would like to go with India, England, Australia, and Pakistan.
Saptak- Well that's a very tough thing to predict as all the teams are looking very close in this competition. Still I think India, England, Australia and South Africa are going to make it to the final four.
Now, what do you think of the semi finalists? Who are going to be the top four.
Now, what do you think of the semi finalists? Who are going to be the top four.
Deepak: Saptak, now I want to put you in a spot. Who are your four semifinalists?
Deepak: Afghanistan have improved their cricket very much as their players are playing different leagues which helped them to improve their skills, but they need a whole team effort to win matches against the big sides. In recent years they underperformed at the crucial juncture of the game and lost the match, and this is what they need to work on. They need to keep calm and hold their nerves in the crunch situations.
Saptak- Also when it comes to underperform in the pressure, Afghanistan is doing that in the recent past. What's your take on their squad? With four quality spinners, I think they will start with some advantage. Can they perform well under pressure?
Deepak: Yes, Saptak, they have a formidable squad and they always had a strong squad but as I said all depends on how they perform under pressure in the crucial game of the tournament. As you mentioned Rassie Van der Dussen, David Miller and Heinrich Klassen are in top form at the moment but they need to carry the momentum for the next 1.5 months to help South Africa lift their maiden World Cup Trophy.
Saptak- But I think they are starting with a lot of boost as they have a strong squad. Just imagine a team has a middle order comprising of a terrific spin player like Rassie Van der Dussen and two elite hitters, David Miller and Heinrich Klassen! That's some strength!!
Deepak: Good afternoon, folks! Good afternoon Saptak, and thanks for the welcome mate. Yeah, the rain is spoiling our excitement here in Thiruvananthapuram. Coming to your question, South Africa will be in a high confidence mode after their performance against the Aussies. They have a formidable squad but they consistently underperform in high-pressure situations of ICC events despite having a strong team. However, they need to forget about their past and play according to their strength. Let's see how they perform in this year's World Cup.
Saptak- Time to welcome my co-commentator Deepak in the commentary box. Hello mate, good afternoon. The game is looking pretty unsure. So, let's talk about the squads. Coming to the Proteas Squad, what do you think of them?
1:58 PM IST: It's pelting down here in Thiruvananthapuram and the on-field umpires Anil Chaudhary and Rohan Pandit are seen talking with the third umpire Virender Sharma. The live pictures are not promising at all, multiple puddles have been formed on the outfield.
13:51 IST | Entire ground is now covered with the covers and the picture is showing a lot of damp areas in the ground. And it is still drizzling in the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
1:33 PM IST: The rain continues to fall and the toss has been officially delayed now.
1:21 PM IST: Dale Steyn is seen standing with an umbrella and it's still drizzling at the moment. He said India are favorites to win the World Cup, but his heart is with South Africa.
Team Update- Temba Bavuma has gone back to South Africa as he his having some family issues and will miss the two warm-up games. In his place, Aiden Markram will be the stand-in skipper for the Proteas in those warm-up games.
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