SA vs PAK 1st ODI Preview: Can The Proteas Backup Squad Revive Themselves After A Tough T20I Performance?
Going into the first ODI between South Africa and Pakistan, it will be quite interesting to see how each side shape’s up after a long three-match T20I and test series. With the Proteas trying to get back into form after suffering some bad losses, this is the format they can try dominating and end their tour of Pakistan on a very positive note. Knowing that most of this unit’s main squad will be out due to resting as they have India up next, their secondary pieces will look to make an impact. As Matthew Breetzke gets his debut as this side’s captain, it will be quite interesting to see if he can live up to the hype and give this unit one more leadership aspect moving forward.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will try to build its name in 50-over cricket after recent struggles, including a 2-1 loss to West Indies. Trying to replicate the same amount of confidence as they had to beat South Africa in the T20I series, it will be interesting to see how much of an impact that makes on them. Getting back pieces like Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf, this group will have their main squad playing for the first time in a while and will hope to have them fully healthy. With Shaheen Afridi listed as captain, he hasn’t had much recent success and will be under a world of pressure to improve, or it could potentially be sent be to Salman Ali Agha if struggles continue.
South Africa: Batsmen Will Look To Have A Much More Explosive Effort After Struggling Early On
Looking at this Proteas batting unit, it’s pretty clear that it’s going to be a deep group that needs to get into form after having very bad successive performances in earlier times. Opener Lhaun-Dre Pretorious is expected to make his debut from the left end, this is someone who should show his fiery ability to start quickly and control down the innings. If that doesn’t end up happening, Quinton De Kock also has potential to make his return to this ODI side after he retired a year back. Someone whose scored 6770 runs in over 180 innings, his consistency and sweeps shots may be on full display, if selected. On the other end of these two probable options, Sinethemba Qeshile should be the main opening right-handed batter, as he’s scored over 3,000 first-class runs.
At one-down, Matthew Breetzke has been on fire recently in this format and gotten off to the fastest start during an ODI career. Someone whose scored 467 runs during just 6 innings, he’s a piece that has already scored 4 half-centuries and even gotten a score over 100 one time. Having an average that is near 78, he will keep developing that number even more further and get support from Dewald Brevis at two-down. With Brevis having scored 110 in his first 6 matches, he’s known for more pure power and strength rather than playing on the ground. As Donovan Ferriera is set to make his debut right after him, it would be interesting to see where they place Tony De Zorzi in the order, since Corbin Bosch and Bjorn Fortuin purely play in the back-middle order.
South Africa: Pace and Spin Attack Should Be A Vital Component of This Side’s Plan
For South Africa, their bowlers are one key piece everyone will look at as a massive strength. With Lungi Ngidi being their main pacer from the right end, this is a key player who has taken 112 wickets during 71 matches and continues attacking with great pace. Having the consistent ability to bowl at 140/150 km/hr, his height really helps him build a strong action that has given several players problems before. As his economy is under 6.00 as well, this has been his strongest format during his career so far. Knowing that Nandre Burger will be their big-time piece from the left side, this is someone who has removed 14 batsmen during his first 10 matches and can be a real impact when his economy is low.
With Corbin Bosch being included to that attack as well, he’s continued making his name bigger throughout the last couple weeks as he could potentially find himself on the main squad. Although he’s only taken 5 wickets during his first 6 matches, the ability to create yorkers that hit the center is any batsman’s main fear. Trying to add Kwena Maphka into this mix as well, it will be interesting to see if South Africa will trust him as a fourth option since he’s struggled a little bit lately. On the idea of spinners, Bjorn Fortuin, 16 wickets in 13 matches, and allowing fewer than 5 an over, is going to be vital, since Nqaba Peter is going to come in with in-swingers from the other end.
Pakistan: Batting Lineup Looks Loaded But The Question Comes Down To Whether They Can Perform
As we see Pakistan’s batsmen, it has been pretty clear that they have the talent, but now they will have to put it all together. With Fakhar Zaman opening as a left-handed piece, he’s been their top performer over the past couple years, as this is someone whose scored 3,651 runs during 85 innings, and also hit 11 centuries. Known for his class against any style of bowling, it will be interesting to see if they give Abdullah Shafique or Saim Ayub the task across him. Seeing that both batsmen have less experience in this format, Ayub might get the start because he has a near 50 average. Coming in at one-down, Babar Azam will be required to have a massive performance for this side, as he’s scored 6,291 runs in 131 innings.
Knowing that Salman Ali Agha is set to come in at two-down, he’s built a near 40 average and should continue striving to improve on that if he plays in a focused manner. With him seeming to get of track a lot of times and playing uneeded shots, he will have to come back in a much stronger manner. As Mohammed Rizwan comes in after, his return to this Pakistan side could end up big because he’s another piece that has scored 2,713 runs and four centuries during his 90+ innings. This unit will continue trying to build up, while Faheem Ashraf and Mohammed Nawaz hope to become those key power hitters who can finish off innings in great ways.
Pakistan: Struggling Bowling Attack Is Trying To Provide Something Different
On this side’s bowling side, it is pretty clear that they need to change up their philosophy because they will continue struggling if they stick to similar things. Shaheen Afridi has picked up 131 wickets during 66 ODIs as their main left-handed pacer, but this is someone whose game has fallen down over the last couple years. Missing out on the middle of the stumps many times, he will need to start doing that more often to add to the many wickets he produces. As Haris Rauf, 88 wickets, has been a key threat from the right end, he is in a similar stage where he needs to lower down his economy. Looking at Naseem Shah, 55 wickets in 30 matches, Abrar Ahmed will be their main spinning option.
Previous Matches
Matches Played: 87
South Africa Won: 52
Pakistan Won: 34
Drawn: 1
Predictions
South Africa Bat 1st: They will score 300 to 310 runs for the loss of 7 wickets
Pakistan Bat 1st: They will score 250 to 255 runs for all wickets lost
South Africa Bat 2nd: They will win by 4 to 5 wickets
Pakistan Bat 2nd: They will lose by 25 to 30 runs
Final Prediction: South Africa will win by 25 to 30 runs if batting first and 4 to 5 wickets if batting 2nd
Key Players
Pakistan
Naseem Shah: Right-handed pacer who has great zip on his deliveries and can get many wickets
Shaheen Afridi: Captain under pressure, who is known for his wicket-taking ability
Babar Azam: One of the better run scorers who is looking to do it against bigger nations now
Fakhar Zaman: Opening piece that has created lot’s of pressure from up-front
South Africa
Matthew Breetzke: Top-notch batsman who has broken several records in his first couple of innings
Lungi Ngidi: Best bowler known for his style and pace on the ball
Dewald Brevis: Pure power-hitter who will score fast in this longer format and elevate run rate
Nandre Burger: Left-handed pacer that has created tons of ability with his line
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