Pakistan vs South Africa, South Africa tour of Pakistan, 2021, Today Match Prediction 26 Jan 2021

pak vs sa Match Prediction & Analysis

Test cricket is occupying the center stage with teams playing their bi-lateral series ahead of the ICC Test Championship in June 2020. Both Pakistan and South Africa have experienced a slight decline in their Test credentials and are looking to get back on track. Pakistan will be delighted by the return of South Africa to Pakistan shores after more than a decade. Both teams are in a transition period with a lot of young players and a new captain in charge. This series also presents the valuable 120 points in ICC Test Championship and both teams will look to get the valuable points on offer.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

Skipper Babar Azam will be back into the side in this series. Opener Abid Ali had a forgetful last 2 tests with a combined tally of 60 runs across 4 innings and is expected to have a new opening partner in this series. Their middle order of Azhar Ali, Mohammed Rizwan, Fawad Alam, and Faheem Ashraf were amongst the runs in the last Series and will be high on confidence.

Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali are expected to take the role of bowling with new ball with all-rounder Fahreen Ashraf in the pace department. Yasir Shah will lead their spin attack with Mohammed Nawas expected to be preferred as the second spinner in the playing XI. They have a lot of new faces in bowling department and may hand over debut in this match.  

Top players to bet on:

Mohammed Rizwan – Rizwan scored 202 runs in the 2 Tests against New Zealand with 3 fifties to his name. He is one of most improved and consistent players in the Pakistan team in the recent years.

Shaheen Afridi – Shaheen is expected to lead the pace attack in the absence of Mohd Abbas and will be the strike bowler for the team.  He has 13 wickets in the 3 Tests he played at Pakistan so far.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Abid Ali, Babar Azam (C), Mohammed Rizwan (wk), Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Faheem Ashraf, Yasir Shah, Mohammed Nawas, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Abdullah Shafique

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Imran Butt, Hasan Ali, Abid Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Azhar Ali, Nauman Ali, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi

South Africa Preview

South Africa has a good mix of experienced and young players in the batting department. Dean Elgar, Faf Du Plessis, Aiden Markram, Van Der Dussen, and Temba Bavuma were amongst the runs in the 2 Tests against Sri Lanka. Skipper Quinton De Kock will look to lead his team from front with his performances in batting and keeping.

Their pace department faces a stiff competition with Kagiso Rabada returning, Lungi Ngidi, and newbies Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Simpala, and Anrich Nortje amongst the wickets in the last series. Keshav Maharaj will lead the spin attack with a competition between Tabriaz Shamsi and George Linde for the second spinner`s slot.  

Top players to bet on:

Dean Elgar – Dean Elgar has scores of 95,127, & 31* in the last 3 innings and will look to continue his form with the bat in this match too. He is tough player who has the habit of playing in difficult conditions.

Kagiso Rabada – Rabada returns to the squad after an injury layoff and he has had tough period in test Arena with just 21 wickets in last 6 matches. He will look to establish himself as a leader of the pack with stiff completion in fast bowling department.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Dean Elgar, Faf Du Plessis, Aiden Markram, Van Der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton De Kock (C & Wk), Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Tabriaz Shamsi/Lutho Simpala

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis, Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Temba Bavuma

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Karachi is expected to have hot and humid climate on all the five days of the match and the cracks might open up as the match progresses. Spinners will look to use the cracks and slowness of the surface on the fourth and fifth days of the match.

Venue Details

National Stadium is expected to have good pace and swing on offer for the faster bowlers and teams will have trouble choosing between fourth seamer and second spinner.  Pakistan posted 500+ runs in the third innings in the last match and the pitch might improve as the match progresses.

Toss: To Bat

Teams will look to bat first and post a big score on board. Batsmen will enjoy their time on this pitch if they can negate the swing with the new ball.