Pakistan will face South Africa in the 26th match of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Friday. After winning their first two matches, Pakistan have veered off the track, losing their last three games.
The Babar Azam-led team were stunned by Afghanistan in their previous match by eight wickets and they will need to quickly turn the tables to keep their semifinals hopes alive. Pakistan’s bowling, which has always been their strength over the years, has looked bleak in the ongoing showpiece and it has led to their downfall.
They could not defend 282 runs in the previous game as they failed to take their chances and didn’t bowl in the right areas. Their spinners have also lacked accuracy and they are not able to create any kind of pressure in the middle overs. Moreover, Babar Azam will need to be more proactive in his captaincy.
On the other hand, South Africa has taken the game away from the opposition with their blistering batting display. Quinton de Kock has been superb at the top of the order as he scored a magnificent knock of 174 runs against Bangladesh whereas Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen have provided quick runs in the middle order.
The Proteas fast bowlers have also done a consistent job for the team and they have been able to apply the scoreboard pressure.
Match Prediction: South Africa will enter the contest as favorites against Pakistan.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
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