South Africa vs Pakistan, 1st ODI, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

On current form, the hosts are the favourites to win the match.

Published - 18 Jan 2019, 13:09 IST | Updated - 18 Jan 2019, 13:09 IST

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Pakistan would want to forget the Test series against South Africa, which turned out to be equivalent to a nightmare for them as they were inflicted with a 3-0 whitewash. The Men in Green, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, would now be keen to turn their fortunes around in the five-match ODI series that gets underway tomorrow. The opening match is scheduled to be played at the St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.

Last year, Pakistan could only win one ODI series against a struggling Zimbabwe, but apart from that, they were shambolic, to say the least. The Proteas, on the contrary, must be brimming with confidence following the red-ball fixtures and they would want to carry over the momentum in white-ball cricket. Their last ODI series against Australia ended on a happy note as they managed to win it 2-1.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the venue has helped both the batsmen and bowlers over the last few years. Scores of over 300 have been pretty rare and it indicates that the curators generally dish out a sporting track. Teams may opt to field first and bowl the opposition out cheaply. The tracks in South Africa generate enough pace and bounce and therefore the focus will be on the pace-bowling units of both the sides.

Team Combination

South Africa

The hosts may give Duanne Olivier, who replaced Dale Steyn, his maiden ODI cap. Amla and Markram would open the batting with the in-form Reeza Hendricks at number three. The onus would be on captain Du Plessis and Miller to shoulder the middle order. Heinrich Klaasen would keep wickets in place of De Kock. Only one of Phehlukwayo and Pretorius would play. Imran Tahir is the lone spinner in the lineup.

Probable XI

Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis (C), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Dwaine Pretorius/Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Imran Tahir, Duanne Olivier

Pakistan

Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq are the openers with Hafeez at number three. The onus would be on Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik in the middle order. Captain Sarfaraz would come at number six. Pakistan are unlikely to play two spinners and hence one of Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim would have to sit out. Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali are the pacers. Ashraf is the other bowling all-rounder.

Probable XI

Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed (C & wk), Imad Wasim/Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi