Pakistan will take on South Africa in the 26th match of the Men’s World Cup ODI 2023 in Chennai on Friday, 27th October. Pakistan are struggling to stay afloat with consecutive defeats in the last three games in the tournament. The side suffered a shocking defeat against Afghanistan in the previous match, raising concern over their qualification for the semi-final. South Africa are having a great campaign in the World Cup with four wins and a loss from five matches so far. Their only defeat came against the Netherlands in the DLS method. Pakistan are currently in the fifth spot with 4 points and South Africa are in the second position with 8 points on the points table.
In the Men’s World Cup ODI, Pakistan and South Africa have locked horns with each other five times since 1992. Out of these five games, Pakistan have won two whereas Proteas emerged victorious on three occasions. Their last encounter in the tournament was in 2019 when Pakistan defeated South Africa by 49 runs. The upcoming match is expected to be exciting as Pakistan will look to turn their tables around after three defeats on the trot while South Africa will look to continue their winning run.
Players To Watch Out For
A Shafique (PAK): A Shafique has been a big revelation in the ongoing edition of the Men’s World Cup ODI. He is considered the next big thing for Pakistan cricket. The 23-year-old was shot to fame when he scored a century on his World Cup debut in Pakistan’s opening match against Sri Lanka. A Shafique is the backbone of Pakistan’s top-order batting. He is currently the second-leading run-getter for Pakistan in the tournament, aggregating 255 runs, including a century and two fifties, at an average of 63.75 in five matches so far. A Shafique is an attacking batsman who can anchor innings at the top and score quick runs in the powerplay. His aggressive style of batting has been a treat to watch in this World Cup. A Shafique is likely to pose a threat to South Africa’s batting line-up.
H Klaasen (SA): H Klaaseen is in impressive form in this Men’s World Cup ODI. His scintillating performances in the last couple of matches have further proved his worth to the team. In the match against England, Klaasen scored a brilliant 109 off 67 balls to help South Africa post a massive total of 399/7 on the board. This was followed up with another phenomenal unbeaten knock of 90 off 49 balls at an impressive strike rate of 183 against Bangladesh. H Klaasen is an attacking batsman who can turn the game on its head in the middle. In this Men’s World Cup, the 33-year-old has aggregated 288 runs, including a century and a fifty, at an average of 57.60 in five matches thus. H Klaasen will look to carry on his good form in the upcoming match against Pakistan.
M Rizwan (PAK): M Rizwan is one of the top performers for Pakistan in the Men’s World Cup ODI. The 31-year-old takes care of Pakistan’s middle-order of the batting line-up. Rizwan is currently the fifth-leading run-scorer in the tournament, aggregating 302 runs, including a century and a fifty, at an average of 75.50 in the five matches so far. M Rizwan sticks to a conservative style of batting but can shift his gears and anchor the innings when needed. Rizwan is a reliable middle-order batsman for Pakistan who can pull the strings in clutch situations. M Rizwan will look to come up with goods in the upcoming match against South Africa.
K Rabada (SA): K Rabada is a pace spearhead for South Africa in the Men’s World Cup ODI. In the previous match against Bangladesh, the 28-year-old scalped two wickets while conceding 42 runs at an economy rate of 4.2 in his quota of 10 overs. He joint-third leading wicket-taker in the tournament, scalping 10 wickets at an average of 21.90 and an economy rate of 5.36 in five matches so far. K Rabada has a decent pace and has the ability to swing the ball in both ways. His swing bowling has often troubled the best batsmen in the world. K Rabada is expected to lead the pace attack in the match against Pakistan.
S Afridi (PAK): S Afridi is a lead bowler for Pakistan in the Men’s World Cup ODI. The 23-year-old is struggling to make a consistent impact with his bowling, except for a five-wicket haul against Australia. In the previous match against Afghanistan, Afridi scalped only one wicket while conceding 58 runs at an economy rate of 5.8 in his quota of 10 overs. S Afridi is the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan, with 10 wickets, including a five-wicket haul, at an average of 25.10 and an economy rate of 5.97 in five matches. S Afridi has a good pace but his swing bowling has always been a threat for the batsmen. Afridi will look to disrupt South Africa’s batting line-up with a new ball and circumscribe the team to put up a big score on the board.
Predicted Playing XI
PAK: A Shafique, I ul Haq, B Azam (C) , M Rizwan (WK), S Shakeel, I Ahmed, S Khan, S Afridi, U Mir, H Ali, H Rauf,
SA: Q de Kock (WK), R Hendricks, R van der Dussen, A Markram, H Klaasen, D Miller, M Jansen, G Coetzee, K Maharaj, K Rabada, L Nigidi,
Fantasy Playing XI Picks
Wicketkeepers: M Rizwan, Q de Kock (C)
Batsmen: A Shafique, B Azam (VC), A Markram, H Klaasen,
All-rounder: M Jansen
Bowlers: S Afridi, K Maharaj, K Rabada, H Ali,
Prediction
South Africa will look to extend their winning run by defeating Pakistan in the upcoming match. Proteas have a far more balanced side compared to their Asian counterparts, with the middle order contributing significantly to the batting. Also, South Africa are in great form and put up a good fight in every match they played so far. However, Pakistan can perform their best when they have back against the wall. If either of the teams opts to bat first, will expect to put up 250-270 on the boar
