South Africa and Canada are set to head into match 9 of the ongoing T20 World Cup on Monday in Ahmedabad in a Group D clash that is hugely significant for both teams. It will be the first time the two sides face each other in the T20 format, with both teams carrying contrasting narratives. For South Africa, the tournament is a perpetual tale of unfinished business. The scars of the last T20 World Cup final are still fresh, where they came close to lifting the trophy before defeat against India snatched history away.
Their road to this World Cup has been bouncy. Since that heartbreaking final, the Proteas have managed only two series victories, one of them against West Indies, while also suffering an unexpected setback in a one-off loss to Namibia. Namibia had completed a historic four-wicket win over South Africa. On paper, South Africa remain one of the most explosive sides in the tournament.
The batting unit is packed with power, with Quinton de Kock, captain Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton at the top. In the middle order, Tristan Stubbs and David Miller carry a fearless approach. Their bowling attack is also formidable, having the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje and Corbin Bosch in the pace department. Keshav Maharaj and George Linde will lead the spin attack.
Canada, on the other hand, enter the contest with far less baggage as they eye a more fruitful tournament. Back-to-back T20 World Cup qualifications have strengthened their belief, and their dominant, unbeaten run through the ICC Americas Regional Qualifiers will give them confidence.
South Africa possible XI: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada
Canada possible XI: Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Harsh Thaker, Shreyas Movva (wk), Shivam Sharma, Dilon Heyliger, Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Saad Bin Zafar, Kaleem Sana, Jaskaran Singh