Overview

• South Africa arrive confident after a 2-1 ODI series win in Pakistan, though a heavy defeat in the third match exposed shortcomings.
• Mashimbyi flagged a fragile middle order, ineffective middle-overs bowling, and lapses in fielding and catching as areas requiring urgent work.
• The team plays warm-up games at R. Premadasa Stadium against Bangladesh on September 25 and Pakistan on September 28.
• Key strengths remain the in-form opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp’s all-round impact, and death bowling led by Nadine de Klerk and Ayabonga Khaka.
• Captain Wolvaardt says a World Cup breakthrough is a matter of “when, not if,” with South Africa opening their campaign against England in Guwahati on October 3 in a tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.