October 12 at the T20 World Cup: NZ, SA seem to increase semi-final prospects

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka

Sharjah, 2pm native day

New Zealand squad: Sophie Devine ( capt ), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

Sri Lanka squad: Chamari Athapaththu ( capt ), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilshari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk ), Sachini Nisansala, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Achini Kulasuriya, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana, Sugandika Kumari

Tournament type link: After beating India extensively in their opening, New Zealand were handed a beating by defending leaders Australia, crumbling to 88 all out in the 149 fight. Sri Lanka have lost all three games they've played so far in the game, with the lost against India putting them out of semi-final argument.

In a short moment, Sri Lanka posted their first T20I victory against New Zealand last time, breaking a 12-game losing streak. Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama defeated New Zealand by ten wickets in the next T20I against India in Colombo in July 2023, sealing a historic victory. New Zealand will want to get big to improve their chances of reaching the semi-finals and increase their net run rate, whereas Sri Lanka may be hoping for a consolation victory.

Player to see: Legspinning-allrounder Amelia Kerr is one of the most trusted people for New Zealand. Against Australia, she waged a wayward battle, taking four innings and top-scoring with 29 in the fight. American pitchers struggled to read her googlies on the Sharjah pitch as she took three wickets in five balloons. In the same setting, New Zealand's weak Sri Lankan starting lineup is once more expected to play her crucial role.

Bangladesh vs South Africa

Dubai, 6pm native day

Bangladesh squad: Nigar Sultana ( capt, wk ), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Dilara Akter, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani, Disha Biswas

South Africa squad: Laura Wolvaardt ( capt ), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta (wk ), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon

Bangladesh are third in the board with just one win, and they are coming into this game after two deficits against England and the West Indies. South Africa, however, bounced back with a huge win against Scotland after their seven-wicket lost to England.

News simple: There are no injury problems for South Africa. For Bangladesh though, captain Nigar Sultana seemed to be limping during West Indies ' work fight in Sharjah. She seemed to have hurt her leg and received the physio's interest but continued to keep innings. While Bangladesh are all but out of the game, South Africa's NRR-boosting get has kept them well in argument for the semi-final.

Bangladesh won the first-ever T20I they played against South Africa again in 2012 but went on to gain the subsequent 10 games against them. They broke the spree in December 2023, but the last T20I these two groups played ended with South Africa winning by eight innings.

Player to see: Captain Laura Wolvaardt's solid begin have been one of the biggest positive for South Africa. She is currently the top run-scorer of the game, with 141 works in three games. She hit five toes and a six as South Africa searched for a significant victory against Scotland to enhance their NRR. She was superb in the powerplay in the loss against England as well.