The UAE will be braced for a backlash from South Africa when they meet in a Pool B match of the World Cup at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington tomorrow.
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South African skipper AB de Villiers was almost seething after his team’s 29-run loss to Pakistan in Auckland last Saturday, and will be desperate to win against UAE to ensure they finish second in the group.
India have already topped the table with five wins in five matches, while South Africa, Pakistan and Ireland have all got six points each from three wins. The UAE have yet to open their account, having lost all their four group matches.
South Africa scored 408 and 411 against the West Indies and Ireland but could not chase a target of 231 runs in a rain-interrupted match against Pakistan.
After the match, de Villiers felt his team lacked energy and were like a car stuck in the second gear. And then, ominously for the UAE, he added: “We need to have a chat about what maybe went wrong and try to get to the fifth gear again against the UAE”.
A win would be crucial as it determines whom they take on in the quarter-finals. With co-hosts New Zealand and Australia in the first and second place in Pool A, they are the two teams South Africa will like to avoid at this stage.
The UAE captain, Mohammad Tauqir, is aware of the challenge his side faces against the rampant South African batsmen, and displayed his sense of humour when asked if he has a plan to stop them from scoring 400-plus runs.
Watch out UAE. South Africa will bounce back in anger. Could see 500 if they bat first.
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) March 7, 2015
Tauqir quipped: “It seems the only way they cannot score 400 runs is to win the toss and bat.
“The way they are going, they have scored 400 runs against the West Indies and against Ireland as well. Now, even a total of 400 is not considered an embarrassing total
“No…I think we need to bowl well and field well to restrict them. We will be putting in a lot of effort and a good performance against South Africa as well.
“I think our biggest achievement would be if we can stop them from reaching 400.”
The UAE captain also confirmed that the team is thinking of making a couple of changes for the match after playing three back-to-back ties with the same eleven.
“There will be some changes,” Tauqir said. “We will have a look at the wicket and perhaps give a chance to someone else in the team.”
What has been most creditable about this UAE team is that they have not become disappointed with the four consecutive losses and still retain a lively attitude in the nets.
“I think it is because they know they have played good cricket, and that they have given their 100 per cent,” said Mudassar Nazar, the batting consultant of the team.
“Can we beat South Africa? You never know. But one thing I can assure you, these boys will give it their best shot.”
