South Africa vs Pakistan, Pakistan tour of South Africa 2018-19, Today Match Prediction 03 Jan 2019

n/a vs pak Match Prediction & Analysis

Hosts South Africa will be looking to clinch the Test series when they take on Pakistan in the second game in Cape Town on Thursday. The home side put in a splendid performance to take 1-0 lead in three-match Test series. Faf du Plessis will be hoping that the side can produce their best performance with bat and ball in this game.

On the other hand, Pakistan will be looking to make a strong comeback after losing the opening game at Centurion. Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will be hoping that batsmen can put in a better effort in this game and help Pakistan level the series.

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Preview

Captain Faf du Plessis will be hoping that his side can improve their game with bat and ball at Newlands Cricket Ground. The venue has proven to be a fortress of sorts as the home side has lost only once in their last ten matches.

In the batting department, the home side will be relying on the likes of Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla and Temba Bavuma to do the bulk of the scoring. Opener Dean Elgar produced a gritty half-century to help South Africa chase down a score of 149 runs to win the game. Left-hander will be looking to continue his good form with the bat.

Aiden Markam struggled to get going with the bat against Pakistan on a difficult wicket. The opener will certainly be keen to get back amongst the runs in this game.

Hashim Amla answered his critics with an unbeaten 63 runs in the second innings. He delivered the goods with the bat when South Africa needed him the most. South Africa will be hoping that Amla can continue his good form in Newlands as well.

The team management will be concerned about the form of captain Faf du Plessis, who bagged a pair in the first game of the series.

In the bowling department, Vernon Philander will make a return to the playing XI. Duanne Olivier might retain his place in the side if South Africa decides to drop Theunis De Bruyn from the side. Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn will be new-ball pair for South Africa.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

 Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock (wk), Theunis De Bruyn/Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada.

Pakistan Preview

The visitors will need to raise their game with bat and ball in order to compete against South Africa. The big positives for Pakistan will be Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood getting runs in the game played at Centurion.

Babar Azam also showed his class and caliber with the bat and scored 71 runs in the first innings. The experienced duo of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq had a poor game in Centurion. They will be looking to make a strong comeback after receiving a lot of flak from critics for their poor performance in the opening game.

Haris Sohail might come in place of Fakhar Zaman, who might be dropped from the side after his no-show with the bat in Centurion.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Abbas and Shaheen Shah Afridi to provide breakthroughs with the new-ball. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah will play a big role at Newlands as the surface is likely to provide assistance to the spinners in the later stages of the game.

 

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq/Fakhar Zaman, Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain & wk), Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi/Hasan Ali.

Weather Conditions

The pitch generally at Newlands does provide swing and seam movement for the quick bowlers. Spinners will get something out of surface in the later stages of the game. The weather forecast for the game is going to cloudy skies.

Venue 

The Newlands Cricket Ground always has provided an even contest with bat and ball. Hosts South Africa have an excellent record at the venue since readmission in 1992 and generally tends to perform their best in Cape Town.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would like to bowl first. It will get much easier for batsmen once the Kookaburra ball loses its shine.