CT 2017, Match 7, Pak V SA Preview: South Africa looking to seal semi spot before India clash on Sunday

South Africa will be going into this game to get the required two points in order to get closer to the semi-final spot. They will be playing a Pakistan side, which will be low on morale after they got hammered by their rivals India in a one-sided game on Sunday at Edgbaston. In stark contrast, South Africa had a great start to their campaign when they beat Sri Lanka by 96 runs in their first group game.

The Proteas side has to learn from their mistakes from the previous game. From being in a commanding position of 183 for 1 in 33 overs, they finished on just 299 runs after 50 overs thanks to a late cameo innings by JP Duminy who remained unbeaten on 38 off just 20 balls faced. Hashim Amla and du Plessis added a brisk 145-run stand for the second wicket before a cluster of wickets in the middle overs resulted in a mini collapse. Tumbling wickets had undone all the good work by the top order but fortunately for South Africa, Duminy came to their rescue. Apart from this aspect, it was a complete performance by the team. The bowlers chipped in, especially Imran Tahir who ended up with figures of 4/27. South Africa have a team to go all the day in the tournament but they need to react better to pressure situations.

Pakistan will have to lift themselves up after a horrible day at the office. Their bowlers bowled well but were not backed by their fielders. Sarfaraz’s bowling changes and field placements were not up to the mark of an international captain. The skipper should realise that at this level, a side can never get away by playing catch-up cricket. They have to be aggressive in their approach. Their body language never suggested that they played to win the last game. The No.8 ranked ODI side is up against another quality team, South Africa. They must seek inspiration from their World Cup win against this side in 2015.

Focus will be on:

Hashim Amla

When Amla started playing ODI cricket in 2008, not many could have envisaged that he would go on to score more than 7,000 runs and rake up 25 centuries, which is now the highest by a South Africa batsman. He brings calmness to the proceedings and goes about his business in a tranquil manner. Amla has to step up in pressure games later as he has the nerve to handle intense environments. Having scored a flawless century in the last game against Sri Lanka, Amla looks good to notch another big score in this game. The opener has all the right attributes to score runs in English conditions. Edgbaston wicket will be tricky for the initial bit but tends to get easier once batsmen get their eye in and Amla is a great exponent of this practice.

Shoaib Malik

Malik looked in imperious touch the moment he strode out to bat against India. He struck two boundaries and a six early in his innings and looked set to get another big score against his favourite team. But, as luck would have it, he was run out for just 15 runs. Pakistan should utilise the good form Malik is in and bat him at No. 4. Batting at No. 5 adds the little bit of pressure and Malik cannot play as freely. He is an experienced cricketer and can take his game further up in a big tournament. Pakistan underused him as a bowler in the last game. The 35-year old can be more than handy with his off-spins in the middle overs. The all-rounder averages 63.20 with the bat this year and also has a century to his name. He has been in prolific form ever since he made a comeback to the national side.

Team Combination:

South Africa

South Africa is expected to go on the same side they played against Sri Lanka. In Amla and de Kock, they have the world’s best ODI opening combination. Faf du Plessis has great numbers in ODI cricket since 2014 and alongside De Villiers and Duminy, will be the driving force in the middle order for South Africa. David Miller and Morris will look to provide impetus towards the end. Morris’ inclusion has given their side a lot of balance as he is a decent bowler for the middle overs and the death. Rabada and Parnell will share the new ball and Imran Tahir will be the solitary spinner apart from the occasional off-spin of Duminy. Morkel is expected to hold onto his place. He is the only concern for South Africa as he has spent a lot of time away from the national team due to an injury.

Pakistan

Pakistan needs to do some changes in their XI. The combination of Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad is a little old school and Pakistan needs to address this. They can either send Hafeez back at the top or Sarfaraz too, who got the Man of the Match award against South Africa in the 2015 World Cup while opening the innings. Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik needs to score runs as they are two important cogs in the Pakistani middle order. Fakhar Zaman can be given a chance as he can strike it big and bowl decent medium pace. Wahab will not be available for this game for he sustained an injury the other day against India. Junaid will replace him. Pakistan should open the bowling with Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali. Imad Wasim can be a better option in the middle overs.

Playing XI:

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, AB De Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell and Imran Tahir.

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Junaid Khan.

Stat Attack

1 – Hundred required by AB De Villiers to draw level with Amla for becoming the joint most century scorer for South Africa in ODI cricket.

6 – Wickets required by Wayne Parnell to complete 100 ODI wickets. He will be the 12th South African to achieve the feat.

7 – Number of times Pakistan have won against South Africa playing at a neutral venue in 28 games.