South Africa vs Pakistan, South Africa tour of Pakistan, 2021, Today Match Prediction 04 Apr 2021

sa vs pak Match Prediction & Analysis

Pakistan overcame panic in the last moments to win the first ODI against South Africa at the SuperSport Park. The visitors have now taken a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series and South Africa would need to make a quick comeback if they hope to avoid embarrassment at home. The Proteas had put on a good total but they should have been better in their bowling and fielding. Pakistan would need to continue what they did in the first match and the series could be theirs.

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Preview

South Africa started their innings well after being asked to bat first. However, some poor strokes cost them a middle-order collapse and at one stage, it looked like South Africa might struggle to get 250. But Rassie van der Dussen’s terrific unbeaten 123 and David Miller’s 50 helped them reach a total of 273-6. The team will hope that their top-order, which includes the likes of Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, and captain Temba Bavuma, would make a stronger contribution in the next game.

South Africa’s bowling was good initially in the last match as Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi started with miserly spells. However, the Pakistani batsmen soon got the hang of the wicket, and batting became easy. While Anrich Nortje’s inspired 4-wicket spell did put some life into the match, the South African just didn’t have enough bite. They would also need to look at Tabraiz Shamsi whose spin didn’t bother the Pakistani batsmen at all. Maybe trying off-spinner Keshav Maharaj in the next game wouldn’t be a bad idea.
 

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Temba Bavuma

Pakistan Preview

Pakistan would be delighted with their performance in the first ODI. First, they bowled well to restrict the home to a below-par score on a good batting surface. Then, despite some slip-ups at the end, they chased the total down. The star of the chase was captain Babar Azam who struck a fluent 103 to steady the ship along with opener Imam-ul-Haq (70). They would, however, be concerned that the lower-middle order panicked so badly when there was hardly any pressure. Danish Aziz and Asif Ali, in particular, would have to do a better job. Shadab Khan, who couldn’t make an impression with the ball, did make a difference with the bat as his 33 runs down the order proved to be crucial.

Pakistan’s bowling is being led by the enigmatic Shaheen Afridi who delivered two crucial blows right at the start to peg the home team back. He will be the main focus for Pakistan throughout this tour. Mohammad Hasnain and Faheem Ashraf were really good too. But Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan gave away runs which is something they would need to correct soon because South Africa’s top-order might not collapse every game.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Danish Aziz, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Asif Ali, Shaheen Afridi

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The wicket at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg is known to be a batting paradise these days where some huge totals have been achieved. Batters will have a great time and seamers might struggle once the ball loses its shine a little. Expect a flurry of boundaries here.

The weather at Johannesburg for the day of the game will be warm and clear.
 

Venue Details

The Wanderers Stadium has seen some huge totals over the years. There have been three totals in excess of 400 scored here with the highest being a colossal 439-2 by South Africa against the West Indies in 2015. The team batting first in this match will have to target a total of around 320-odd to feel safe.

Toss: To Bat

The team winning the toss might look to bat first as the wicket might be completely flat.