As Pakistan and South Africa head into their 2nd match against each other, this will be a key one for the Proteas unit, who are looking to make amends for a very tough first loss. Seeing that they ended up taking a loss by nearly 100 runs and were completely outdueled in their batting performance, they should use more of the experience of playing on these grounds to their advantage and play a bigger role.
A unit that is still missing their mighty leader in Temba Bavuma, alongside some key all-rounder like Marco Jansen, the one excellent news that they got is the return of Keshav Maharaj. With Aiden Markram potentially leading the side once again, his unquestioned leadership will play a key role in South Africa potentially winning this match.
For Pakistan, they were able to come of a massive win in their first time out and should try sticking to a similar formula. A group that did show some form of inconsistencies during that victory, this will need to be more of a constant performance for them to be very successful and be very strong from start to finish.
Knowing that Pakistan’s spinning attack has been a vital impact in their success so far and should continue being key, it will be interesting to see if Pakistan can still use that method to dominate another match on the home ground. Finding a new solution, much credit has to go to captain Shan Masood as he could potentially beat this Proteas unit after already beating England earlier.
South Africa Batters Will Really Get Out Of The Slump With Their Depth
Looking at South Africa’s batting unit, their pieces will really get out of their past struggles and look to use their pieces as massive benefits heading into this match. Opener Ryan Rickleton was very strong during their first two innings in that first test match as he scored over 110 runs and also had a knock of 70.
Being a key piece this is someone who is continuing to become a constant starter for South Africa and should be ready for a big knock. Having hit a double-century in Pakistan earlier on this year, Ryan Rickelton will be across Aiden Markram, whose going to look much different during their 2nd match after only scoring a combined 25 runs in that first match.
At one-down, Wiaan Mulder, 1170 runs in 36 innings, is another massive piece trying to get in form after not playing very strongly against spinners. Known for his triple-century he hit against Zimbabwe a couple of months back, this is another player that can come up in any clutch moments when he’s at the right touch.
On two-down, Tony De Zorzi will continue being an important left-handed batsman as he hit a 100 during their past match and has been very important when most others struggle. Starting to pick it up as another player that could play for a long time, Dewald Brevis will be quite massive to hit quickly in the middle, while Tristan Stubbs and Keshav Maharaj should add many runs too.
South Africa Spinners Are Going To Continue Making An Impact For This Side
The Proteas bowling unit should be very strong in the spin department during this game because they showed it during that first match, and should continue using options to their side. With Senuran Muthusamy picking up 11 wickets during the whole match last time out, he has been a vital left-handed finger who can create great turn when facing batters from either side.
Being very consistent with where targets the ball to hit, this is someone who should come up huge again. Now that he gets Keshav Maharaj back next to him, the duo will really go off as Mahraj is someone who is very experienced and has gotten 200+ test wickets during his career.
Knowing that he has played in some of the biggest situations for South Africa, his ability to fool batsmen and create trickery will be something to look out for. With these two being key from the left end, Simon Harmer should continue having a massive role on that right side after picking up quite a few wickets during that first match.
As Simon Harmer did get 3 or 4 batsmen out that really changed things around, their one key difference was that he isn’t able to bowl those long overs like Maharaj or Muthusamy can. With hopes of mixing it with Markram, their main pacer in Kagiso Rabada, will be hoping to hit the 350-wicket mark in the Test format.
Pakistan Looks To Create More Runs After Their Batsmen Were Shut Out Down The Line
Seeing that Pakistan’s batting attack should really come out with more fire-power after losing it at the end of the first match, it will be interesting to see how much of an impact it could make. With opener Abdullah Shafique, 1547 runs in 44 innings, looking to make a serious run at building his average after struggling during both innings, he should be a key player to look out for.
Someone whose been known for consistency at the top from the right side, Abdullah Shafique will open with Iman-Ul-Haq, whose 90+ knock during the first innings showed that he can fully be back. Knowing that these Asian conditions are very favorable for his style, this opening duo should have a massive partnership up-top.
Looking at one-down, captain Shan Masood was able to hit a half-century during that first match too, and should make a big role in this game after looking in great touch once again. Having to preserve a ton of runs because Babar Azam has been completely out of it, Masood will basically have to carry that two-down role in case Azam gets removed earlier.
With Saud Shakeel being a potential option to add a 30-40 knock, their back order has slowly become strong because of Salman Ali Agha, plus Mohammed Rizwan having shown great abilites in this form of cricket. Closing it out, spinner Sajid Khan has shown some ability to hit down the line as well.
Pakistan’s Spinners Will Try Creating Another Match-Winner
As Pakistan will have to rely on their spinners to change things around, it is a part of this game that they will feel very confident in. Knowing that Noman Ali had a 10-wicket haul and should slowly be key for this unit again, he is hoping to adjust to the pitches once again.
Being their true match-winner last time out, this is the piece that they anticipate in making him bowl against opposing key batsmen as Noman Ali always manages to get them out. With Sajid Khan taking 4 wickets last match, being their other massive spinner, they will also rely on their massive pacing option in Shaheen Shah Afridi to help Pakistan try creating another upset during this match.
Previous Matches
Matches Played: 31
South Africa Won: 17
Pakistan Won: 7
Matches Drawn: 7
Predictions
Pakistan Bat 1st: They will score between 250-300 runs if they bat first
South Africa Bat 1st: They will score around 320-330 runs if they get a chance to go in the first innings
Pakistan Bat 2nd:They will get all out for 200-220 runs and will potentially lose by around 40-50 runs
South Africa Bat 2nd: They will win by 7-8 wickets
Final Prediction: South Africa will win by 7 wickets if batting 2nd and around 40 runs if they bat 1st
Key Players
Pakistan
Noman Ali: Key spinner who continues coming up in big moments as he has to attack some big-time batsmen
Sajid Khan: Their other piece that can really turn in the ball and find open spots to bowl in
Shan Masood: Strong captain who continues leading and batting at a top level
Abdullah Shafique: Amazing opener that should really create some strong impact up-top
South Africa
Kagiso Rabada: A great pacer that has already made noise despite playing in unfavorable grounds
Senuran Muthuswamy: Picks up tons of wickets from the left-end and should continue turning the ball
Keshav Maharaj: Another massive spinner making his return after being a long-time piece for this group
Aiden Markram: Captain who should really lead with much more intellegence and prowess
Also Read: PAK vs SA: Noman Ali Wallops South Africa