South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I, Preview – Chance for Malik’s men to settle the scores against Du Plessis-less Proteas

Du Plessis has been rested for the rest of the series.

Published - 02 Feb 2019, 18:54 IST | Updated - 02 Feb 2019, 18:54 IST

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Going into the opening T20 International against South Africa at The Newlands in Cape Town, Pakistan didn’t have the privilege of their regular skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, under whom they won 11 consecutive T20I series and stormed to the top of the ICC T20I rankings. However, the Shoaib Malik-captained Men in Green gave the hosts a run for their money, but did not get over the line in a last-over thriller.

Their bowlers came under the cosh, but the batters came out firing on all cylinders and almost chased down the mammoth target of 193. In fact, at one stage, Pakistan had the upper hand and the Proteas’ bowlers hit the right channels to help the team to the victory. The hosts, on the contrary, played reasonably well and their players stepped up, especially David Miller, who was outstanding in the field.

The second game is scheduled to be played tomorrow at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg and the home team would be without their regular captain Faf du Plessis, who has been rested from the remaining two games. Nevertheless, the rest of the players have the potential to deliver the goods as well. In the meantime, Pakistan are on the verge of their first T20I series defeat in a long time.

Team Combinations

South Africa

Reeza Hendricks and Gihahn Cloete continue to open the batting. In Du Plessis’ absence, Janemann Malan, who came in as a replacement of Quinton de Kock, is likely to make his debut. Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller would want to do better with the bat. The bowling unit remains the same with Hendricks, Dala, Morris and Phehlukwayo as the pacers. Shamsi is the lone spin bowling option.

Probable XI

Reeza Hendricks, Gihahn Cloete (wk), Janemann Malan, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller (C), Chris Morris, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Beuran Hendricks, Junior Dala, Tabraiz Shamsi

Pakistan

Pakistan may rope in Mohammad Hafeez, who was rested at the Newlands, in place of Faheem Ashraf, who went for quite a few with the ball. The onus would again be on Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam to give the team a good start. Their batting has depth with the likes of Shadab coming at number 10. Usman Shinwari would want to carry on with his rich vein of form. David Miller is the stand-in captain.

Probable XI

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Hussain Talat, Shoaib Malik (C), Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf/Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari

Focus will be on

Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa)

The 29-year-old was one of the primary reasons why the Proteas won the ODI series 3-2. He buckled down in a crisis and also pressed the accelerator to score 241 runs from five matches. The T20I series didn’t start on a happy note for the Pretoria-born as he couldn’t open his account in the first match. The second game is a chance for Rassie to show that he is an effective player in the shortest format too.

Shadab Khan (Pakistan)

Being a leg-spinner Shadab was expected to make an impact and make some inroads into the Proteas batting, but he was taken apart for 38 runs. The youngster also didn’t bowl his quota of four overs. He didn’t have much to do either with the bat in hand. The 20-year-old from Mianwali would like to put his best foot forward at the Wanderers and help his team draw level in the series.