Pakistan
South Africa
Pakistan will face South Africa in the 3rd ODI of the Tri-Nation Series at the National Stadium in Karachi. This series serves as a warm-up for Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand ahead of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan lost their first match against New Zealand, failing to chase a target of 331. They will look to bounce back in this match.
Pakistan has a strong recent record against South Africa in ODIs, winning 4 of the last 5 encounters. South Africa has struggled in the format, winning only one of their last five matches. Pakistan, on the other hand, has won 4 of their last 5 ODIs.
With home conditions in their favour, Pakistan will aim to dominate South Africa, who have been inconsistent in ODIs. South Africa will need significant improvements in both batting and bowling to compete against a well-balanced Pakistan side.
Babar Azam has scored fifties in 4 of his last 5 ODIs against South Africa, including a 94-run knock, making him likely to score significantly against this opponent.
The betting tip is...
Babar Azam - Over 49.5 runs
61 %
39 %
PakistanSouth AfricaCaptain Mohammad Rizwan will lead the side with an average of 44.5 in his last 10 matches. He will be a key figure in Pakistan’s batting lineup. Salman Agha, who missed out on a fifty in the last match, will look to convert his start into a big score. Babar Azam remains the main threat to South Africa’s bowlers.
Fakhar Zaman made an impact on his return to the squad, scoring 84 off 69 balls in the first match. No other batter made a significant contribution, and the team will expect more support in this match.
Shaheen Shah Afridi took 3 wickets but was the most expensive bowler in the previous match. Abrar Ahmed picked up two, while Haris Rauf was the most economical with one wicket. Shaheen has 18 wickets in his last 7 matches, and Rauf has 14 in his last 9, both maintaining economies under 6.0.
Babar, Zaman and Shaheen are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (c, wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Heinrich Klaasen will be a key batter for South Africa, having scored 285 runs in his last 4 matches at an average of 71.25 and a strike rate of 120.76. Matthew Breetzke provided a good start in the previous match with a fifty, but captain Temba Bavuma was dismissed cheaply.
Kyle Verreynne and Bavuma will be important in stabilizing the middle order. Some players from the Champions Trophy squad are unavailable due to SA20 commitments.
Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi will lead the bowling attack. Shamsi’s role will be crucial in spin-friendly pitches in Pakistan. Senuran Muthusamy and Junior Dala will also be key based on their recent performances. South Africa will need a strong bowling effort to challenge Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Klaasen, Bavuma and Verreynne are the key batters.
Predicted Lineup: Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Eathan Bosch, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
Pakistan might have the upper hand in this match, given their strong form and home advantage. Their recent record against South Africa in ODIs is also in their favour.
Bowling conditions in Karachi might assist spinners, but Shaheen Shah Afridi will be Pakistan’s key bowler. He has taken 18 wickets in his last seven matches and will look to trouble South Africa’s batters.
Babar Azam has been consistent against South Africa, scoring fifties in four of his last five ODIs against them. He even came close to a century in one of those matches, scoring 94. With his experience and past performances, he is expected to score significantly again. If he gets going, Pakistan’s batting lineup will be in a strong position.
