Pakistan are in a must-win scenario in their ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 clash versus South Africa on Thursday. After losing their first two games, Pakistan returned to winning ways versus the Netherlands. Babar Azam’s men need to win their remaining two games to stand an outside chance of making it to the semis. South Africa remain unbeaten so far and are top of the standings in Group 2. SA have picked up five points from three games. After a no-result affair versus Zimbabwe, the Proteas beat Bangladesh and India comfortably. A win will guarantee them a berth in the last four. So, therefore, one expects a cracking game on offer, with both sides boasting of a healthy bowling line-up.
Pakistan have to get things ticking in a do-or-die affair
Pakistan need every department to click versus SA in this match. Babar Azam has been awful so far with the bat, and runs from his willow in this clutch battle are what Pakistan will be happy to take. Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood have crucial roles as well. Rizwan, in particular, has to take the onus of being the aggressor. Pakistan cannot rely heavily on their inconsistent middle-order. With the ball, Pakistan have what it takes to make SA worry. Mohammad Wasim Jr has grabbed headlines since coming on. Haris Rauf has bowled his heart out. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah can make some difference in the PP overs. All-rounder Shadab Khan will aim to contain the flow of runs. He is Pakistan’s trump card.
SA are playing a terrific brand of cricket
South Africa dominated the show versus Zimbabwe but were unfortunate as rain played spoilsport. SA demolished Bangladesh and then outplayed India as well. What makes SA a solid unit is several batters taking up the responsibility. Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw impressed versus Bangladesh. Against India, Aiden Markram and the evergreen David Miller showed character with match-winning knocks. Bowling-wise, SA have a sorted pace-bowling unit boasting the likes of Wayne Parnell. Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, and Kagiso Rabada. One can expect them to work collectively and trouble a doubtful-looking Pakistan unit.
SA go into this game as the favorites
SA are playing their heart out now, and they will be a tough nut to crack for Babar Azam and Co. One major difference is the gulf in batting. Pakistan are over-reliant on their top-order. SA have the luxury of having different people taking up jobs.
A close call in terms of the H2H record
21 games have been played between the two sides in the 20-over format. Pakistan have a slight edge, eking out 11 wins. SA have won 10, on the other hand. Notably, Pakistan have won four out of the last five matches between the two sides.
Key details about the pitch, timing, and TV listing
The pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground favours batting. The average first innings score here is around the 167-run mark. 16 matches have been played here and teams batting first have claimed 10 wins. One expects to see a good bounce on the SCG surface.
One can watch the Pakistan vs South Africa encounter live on the Star Sports Network and stream the same on Hotstar (paid). The match will start at 1:30 PM IST.
Predicted Playing XI of PAK
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Haider Ali, Ifthikar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Predicted Playing XI of SA
Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Stubbs. Keshav Maharaj, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Arich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi
A look at the key batting records on offer
Babar Azam has smashed 344 fours in the format and is six shy of 350. He can equal Virat Kohli’s mark in this regard (joint-highest). David Miller has scored 2130 runs and needs 11 more to surpass Brendon McCullum (2140). Miller (103) can surpass David Warner’s mark of 105 sixes.
A look at the key bowling records on offer
Shadab has claimed 93 scalps and is 3 short of equalling Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh (96). Rauf (68) is in line to overtake Jasprit Bumrah’s mark of 70 scalps. Shaheen Afridi needs two wickets to reach the mark of 50. He has 48 scalps so far.
Dream11 Fantasy Option 1
Batters: David Miller (vc), Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Aiden Markram
All-rounders: Shadab Khan (c)
Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj
Dream11 Fantasy Option 2
Batters: David Miller (c), Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Shan Masood, Babar Azam
All-rounders: Shadab Khan’
Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Lungi Ngidi, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Dream11 Fantasy XI: Ideal captaincy choices
David Miller: Miller is one of the best finishers in the game. He can absorb pressure and then showcase his credentials in key moments. He has scores of 2* and 59* in the ongoing tournament. Pakistan must stop the Miller show because the southpaw can ace situations.
Shadab Khan: Shadab will be a crucial figure given his all-round abilities. With 93 scalps in the format, he remains a leading figure. He has bowled at an economy rate of under six in all three matches in the ongoing tourney. Shadab also has six scalps so far.
Dream11 fantasy: Ideal vice-captaincy choices
Mohammad Rizwan: After going quiet in the first two matches, Rizwan found some rhythm versus the Dutch. He managed a 49-run knock. Being the second-highest scorer in 2022 after Suryakumar Yadav, the promising Pakistan opener remains a threat to the Proteas side.
Anrich Nortje: He has all the abilities to put Pakistan under the cosh. From pace, swing, and yorkers, Nortje is a complete man. He has been bowling well thus far and will want to continue in the same vein against Pakistan at the SCG.