LIVE: South Africa vs Pakistan – first T20I; team news
The first T20I between South Africa and Pakistan is underway at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
South Africa have won the toss and elected to bat.
South Africa team:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Beuran Hendricks, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
Pakistan team:
Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Qadir, Haris Rauf
Match preview:
This is the first of three T20Is between South Africa and Pakistan. The two sides last met in a T20I series in Pakistan in February 2021, which Pakistan won 2-1.
South Africa will be looking to bounce back from their recent T20I series defeat to Pakistan. They will be hoping that their experienced players such as Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, and Kagiso Rabada can lead them to victory.
Pakistan, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their good form in T20Is. They have won their last three T20I series, including a 2-1 series win against South Africa in February. They will be hoping that their captain Babar Azam and in-form batsman Mohammad Rizwan can continue their good form.
Key players:
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Quinton de Kock (South Africa): The explosive opening batsman is a key player for South Africa. He is capable of scoring big runs quickly and will be looking to get his side off to a good start.
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Babar Azam (Pakistan): The Pakistan captain is one of the best batsmen in the world. He is a consistent run-scorer and will be looking to lead his side from the front.
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Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): The fast bowler is one of the most feared bowlers in the world. He is capable of taking wickets at any stage of the innings and will be a key player for South Africa.
- Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan): The left-arm fast bowler is a rising star in Pakistan cricket. He is capable of generating good pace and swing and will be a threat to the South African batsmen.
Pitch report:
The pitch at the Wanderers Stadium is expected to be good for batting. The average first innings score at the ground is 170.
Weather report:
The weather is expected to be fine and sunny for the match.
Match prediction:
This is expected to be a close contest between two evenly matched sides. Pakistan are the slight favourites going into the match, but South Africa will be confident of their chances of winning at home.
Detailed Analysis and Potential Scenarios:
The clash between South Africa and Pakistan promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams possessing formidable batting and bowling lineups. South Africa’s decision to bat first indicates their confidence in setting a challenging target. The Wanderers Stadium traditionally offers a good batting surface, and the South African batsmen will aim to capitalize on this advantage. Quinton de Kock’s explosive batting at the top of the order will be crucial for setting the tone for the innings. Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen will play pivotal roles in consolidating the innings and accelerating in the later stages. David Miller’s finishing prowess could be crucial in the final overs.
Pakistan’s bowling attack will be tested against a strong South African batting line-up. The experienced Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf will be expected to lead the pace attack, while spinners Usman Qadir and Mohammad Nawaz will need to contain the run flow in the middle overs. The onus will be on them to take early wickets and exert pressure on the South African batsmen.
When Pakistan comes out to chase, the opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will be key to their success. Both batsmen are in excellent form and have the ability to build a solid foundation. Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive style of play provides a further boost to the batting line-up. The middle-order, including Mohammad Hafeez and Haider Ali, will need to contribute significantly if Pakistan is to chase down a big total.
The South African bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi, will pose a significant threat to the Pakistani batsmen. Rabada’s pace and accuracy, combined with Ngidi’s variations and Shamsi’s spin, will make for a challenging bowling attack. Andile Phehlukwayo’s all-round abilities will also be valuable for South Africa.
Several scenarios could unfold during the match. If South Africa posts a large total, exceeding 180, Pakistan will face a daunting task in chasing it down. Early wickets for South Africa in the powerplay could put immense pressure on the Pakistani batting line-up. Alternatively, if Pakistan can restrict South Africa to a manageable total, below 160, they will have a good chance of chasing it down successfully. A strong opening partnership between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will be crucial in this scenario.
The middle overs will be a critical phase in the match, with both teams vying for control. The spinners will play a significant role in these overs, and the team that can control the run rate and pick up wickets will gain the upper hand. The death overs will also be crucial, with both teams possessing some big hitters capable of clearing the boundaries. The team that can hold their nerve and execute their plans effectively in the final overs will likely emerge victorious.
Ultimately, the match will likely come down to which team can perform better under pressure and execute their plans effectively in crucial moments. The toss could also play a significant role, with the team batting first having the advantage of setting a target and putting pressure on the opposition. The weather conditions and the pitch will also be factors that could influence the outcome of the match. This promises to be a closely fought contest, with both teams vying for a win in the first T20I.
