After a very competitive and exciting ODI series, South Africa and Pakistan turn their attentions to the T20 format on Saturday when the first of four games gets played out in Johannesburg where hopefully the cricket will be just as good.
This series was put together to continue the preparation for the upcoming World T20 later in the year but what South Africa can gain from it without their star players remains to be seen. Pakistan can certainly use the matches though.
South Africa
The thought going into the final ODI was that South Africa would be outclassed without their key players. That wasn’t actually the case and had it not been for a poor last few overs with the ball they might have got over the line. Often when big players are missing there is a chance for others to step up and nail a place in future teams and one or two South Africans did that then and will be looking to do that here too.
Once again you would think if South Africa are going to be competitive in this match then their fringe players with the bat will have to make themselves seen and heard. I always think that bowlers aren’t missed quite as much in home conditions because whoever comes in will have spent their life bowling in them. While there is inevitably some drop off, it isn’t to the extent that their batting line up cannot bridge.
Pakistan
In contrast to their opponents here, Pakistan almost have an embarrassment of riches from which to choose from. They also have the confidence of knowing that they beat South Africa in this format earlier in the year when the two sides battled it out in Pakistan. That was quite a competitive series though and Pakistan will be hoping they can exude a little more dominance over their South African opponents in this one.
There is a case for thinking that this should be Pakistan’s best format right now. They have one of the best batsmen in the world in this format in Babar Azam while they have the necessary strength with the ball to be on top for long periods as well. In years gone by you might have questioned whether they had the power within their batting line up to deliver the goods but there are no questions on that score now. This series offers a chance for them to announce their intent come the T20 World Cup.
Team News
South Africa are effectively picking from who is left after their five gun players headed off to the IPL. It therefore doesn’t help that Rassie van der Dussen remains a doubt while Reeza Hendricks has pulled out of the side. If that wasn’t enough captain Temba Bavuma is injured so Heinrich Klaasen leads the side.
Surprisingly, Fakhar Zaman wasn’t in the original T20 squad for Pakistan but they soon put that right and it will be between he and Sharjeel Khan for the spot as opener alongside Babar Azam. Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain look to be fighting for two places alongside Shaheen Afrid in the bowling attack.
Betting
Both sides are set to pack their team with batting for this opening match of the series. South Africa are expected to have George Linde at eight and we saw what he can do in the T20 Challenge earlier in the year, while Hasan Ali could be the number eight for Pakistan and it was his late assault in the last ODI which gave Pakistan the ODI series at the weekend. That all makes me think we are in for a high scoring match here in conditions which suit big scores.
We saw some high scoring in the ODI here and while there is an outside concern that only two Pakistan players made more than 20 in that ODI, they are alleviated somewhat by the fact that the tourists won’t be facing up to Kagiso Rabada or Amrich Nortje here. The runs line for this match is 330.5 which looks quite low given the small boundaries and the fact that we are at altitude here. There is more than enough batting talent on show to bring the over in here.
Tips
WON – Back Over 330.5 runs for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Betway
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