Pakistan vs South Africa, Match 26
ICC World Cup, 27 October, 2023, 2 PM IST, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Pakistan and South Africa will lock horns in the 26th match of the ongoing World Cup in India. The clash is scheduled to take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This is South Africa’s first match of this World Cup at this venue while Pakistan lost their game against Afghanistan here earlier this week.
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Pakistan are on a losing streak at the moment having lost ot India, Australia and Afghanistan in their last three matches. They have only won against the teams who played the qualifiers – Sri Lanka and the Netherlands. With three loss in five matches, the maximum Pakistan can reach now is 12 points and have no option but to win all their matches now.
Having played at the venue earlier, Pakistan have a big advantage over with spin expected to play the role yet again.
South Africa, meanwhile, are coming off playing a couple of matches at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. They stunned England a couple of matches ago and will know that they are very close to that semifinal qualification. The Proteas, however, are sometimes unpredictable as they went down pretty meekly in the 246-run chase.
The Pakistan vs South Africa prediction is extremely tough as two seemingly unpredictable teams are playing. However, given the recent form, South Africa are certainly the favourites. But then, Pakistan perform their best when their backs are against the walls and this could be the match when they regain their form as well. So we tip it to be a good contest in Chennai in terms of runs and wickets.
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for Pakistan : L-L-L-W-W
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for the South Africa: W-L-W-W-W
Contents
PAK vs SA Match Preview
Pakistan
Pakistan team is currently in a mess. They aren’t batting well, bowling well and fielding well. Fielding was a big mishap in the game against Afghanistan when they were defending 283 at the Chepauk. More than the changes, they will need the intent and attitude to turn things around.
Fakhar Zaman, if fit, might come back at the top of the order at the expense of Imam-ul-Haq while Haris Rauf might finally make way for Mohammad Wasim Jr who is yet to play in this World Cup. Runs are expected to flow off Shafique’s bat who has been the find of this World Cup for them while Babar and Rizwan have to carry this team on their shoulders with their batting performance.
Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Babar Azam
Probable Best Bowler: Hasan Ali
Probable Playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman/Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr.
South Africa
Well, South Africa have played an interesting brand of cricket in this World Cup so far. While they were as reckless as they can be against the Netherlands, they have put their best foot forward in remaining fixtures. Moreover, looking at the track on offer at Chepauk, they might prefer bringing in Tabraiz Shamsi at the expense of either Lungi Ngidi or Gerald Coetzee who has been exceptional with his pace troubling the best of batters.
It will also be interesting to see if skipper Temba Bavuma will be back in contention despite a good show from Reeza Hendricks. Moreover, it is imperative for them that David Miller spends some quality time in the middle while Heinrich Klaasen should continue to bat the way he has been doing so far. His batting has really pushed the limits of the opposition bowlers in this World Cup.
Probable Best Perfomers
Probable Best Batter: Quinton de Kock
Probable Best Bowler: Keshav Maharaj
Probable Playing XI: Reeza Hendricks/Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (WK), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee/Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi
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Pitch Report and Expected Weather Conditions for PAK vs SA
It has been a tricky pitch at the Chepauk. Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss only to concede the game for the first time in World Cup after scoring 275+ total. The surface will definitely assist the spinners more in the first innings and that might tempt the teams winning the toss to bowl first.
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai ODI Records
Total Matches: 38
Match Won batting first: 18
Match won bowling first: 19
Average 1st innings score: 227
Average 2nd innings score: 206
Expected weather condition: There is a slight chance of rain during the match but that shouldn’t worry the teams much. However, it will remain cloudy right through in afternoon before getting clear in the evening.
#PAKvAFG | #DattKePakistani | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/HGgqorO0iM
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 23, 2023
Pakistan vs South Africa Dream11 Match Prediction
Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen
Batters: Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique
All-rounders: Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Shadab Khan
Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj
Recommended Captain: Aiden Markram
Recommended Vice-captain: Heinrich Klaasen
Some quality wicketkeepers are available to pick in this match and we have picked all of them. Looking at the given form of the batters, Babar and Shafique are perfect choices in the batting department.
Aiden Markram is the perfect captaincy option as he is batting aggressively at four and might bowl a few of his off breaks at the Chepauk. Jansen is another exceptional pick thanks to his all-round abilities. Shaheen, Rabada and Keshav Maharaj are other picks in the Fantasy team.
ICC World Cup 2023 predictions: Odds, favourite, who will win?
Pakistan vs South Africa win prediction: South Africa to win
Again, it is very difficult to predict the winner of this match. You never know which Pakistan team will turn up on the field but they are coming off three successive losses and that might have dented their confidence big time.
South Africa, on current form, are clearly the favourites especially after the way they defeated the defending champions England at the Wankhede and we tip them to win again.
