After running away with the T20I series, the hosts South Africa now prepare for the ODI series against Pakistan. The Proteas are set to welcome back a couple of their first-team players while also balancing a host of injuries.
Pakistan’s recent white-ball form has been strong, and with their best players available for selection, Mohammad Rizwan will be looking to hit the ground running in the first ODI.
Ahead of the first game, here are our match preview and predictions.
Also read: Cricket South Africa sponsors 2024 | Pakistan Cricket Board sponsors 2024
This will be the two sides’ final ODI preparation before the ICC Champions Trophy next year, the hosts for which, Pakistan, would want to arrive into the tournament in top form and defend the title from 2017 in front of the home crowd.
For this game, South Africa will be without their captain Temba Bavuma, with Aiden Markram expected to lead in his absence. South Africa have Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen leading the batting lineup, with Kagiso Rabada set to return after a short period of rest and lead the pace bowling attack comprising Marco Jansen and Ottneil Baartman. With Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee, and Anrich Nortje out injured, these pacers will have to bear most of the responsibility. All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo will offer another seam option, while the 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka is also included in the series and could turn out to be the X factor. Tabrais Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj will be the main spinners for the Proteas.
On the other side, Pakistan move into one of their more favoured formats with Rizwan having his main players ready to get going. The under-pressure Babar Azam will once again have all the spotlight on him, while Abdullah Shafique will be key up top with Azam and Saim Ayub, who has been impressing off late with his consistency. Ayub might not have a lot of ODI games under his belt but he’s got a lot of promise, which Pakistan will look to utilise in the lead-up to the the Champions Trophy. The Pak bowling unit will see Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Hasnain take charge with hopes of recreating what they did in Australia recently.
With their full-strength squad back at their disposal, expect Rizwan’s boys to start strong. At Boland Park, where the seamers will have a big role to play, Pakistan are our favourites to start the ODI series with a win.
Mohammad Rizwan, Aiden Markram, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi,
Venue: Paarl
Winners Prediction: Pakistan
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