Ireland vs South Africa 2nd T20I Predictions, Picks & Odds

• South Africa managed to win the first T20I and take a 1-0 lead in this three-match T20I series. 
• Ireland have been inconsistent with the ball throughout this series while the top-order has wobbled a bit as well. Meanwhile, South Africa’s batting was a touch indifferent in the first T20I. 
• South Africa’s superior bowling attack could make the difference.

Ireland vs South Africa Odds

Odds from BetMGM. Get up to a $600 sign-up bonus at BetMGM today or check out more offers and promo codes for the best online sportsbooks.

Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Kevin O Brien, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Shane Getkate, Simi Singh, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada/Anrich Nortje, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

How to Watch Ireland vs South Africa

Can Ireland Continue to Fight and Spring Another Surprise Like They Did In the Odi Series?

Ireland have fought really hard in this series. They were in a good position in the first ODI before the rain came down and spoiled their chances. They made it up in the second ODI as they recorded their first-ever win against South Africa in ODI cricket or any format for that matter. They were outplayed in the third ODI and the first T20I. But in the latter, they were very good with the ball before crumbling with the bat. Ireland have shown some fight and have pushed South Africa to their limit. However, South Africa’s power has come to the fore more often than not and they have seized the key moments better.

South Africa’s bowling has been quite good. They did go for a few runs in the first couple of ODIs but in the last two games, they have been consistent. The spinners have led the way but the fast bowlers have fared decently as well. Meanwhile, the batting wasn’t really at its best in the first T20I and they will want to force their way into form and some rhythm with the T20 World Cup not too far away.

The Temba Bavuma-led South African side will once again start as favorites. But, they can expect another fighting performance from Ireland who will be hoping to register their first-ever T20I win over South Africa.

Team News

There are no injury concerns on either side. Anrich Nortje was rested for the first T20I and he could come into the South African playing XI for this game. Kagiso Rabada might get a break. Meanwhile, Ireland might continue with the same playing XI that played in the first game.

Key Players

Paul Stirling: Paul Stirling has had a pretty quiet series. The veteran Ireland opening batsman mustered just 51 runs in three innings in the ODI series. Stirling’s form at the top has affected Ireland’s starts as well. He invariably gives the side some solid starts but he has struggled throughout. He faced 97 balls in the three games but couldn’t really force the pace. In the first T20I, Stirling whacked a six on the very first ball of the innings before he was bowled the very next ball. Thus, Stirling has been Ireland’s best batsman for a while now and Ireland will want him to fire.

Tabraiz Shamsi: Tabraiz Shamsi has been very consistent in white-ball cricket for South Africa. No other bowler has taken more wickets than Shamsi since the start of 2020. The chinaman spinner has returned with 30 wickets in 22 T20Is and has an economy rate of 6.47. He was excellent in the ODIs as well where he took five wickets from three games and these came at an economy of 4.39. Besides this, Shamsi was the star with the ball for South Africa in the first T20I. He spun a web around the Ireland middle-order and returned with figures of 4/27. He will be the one to watch out for once again.