South Africa vs Pakistan, Pakistan tour of South Africa 2018-19, Today Match Prediction 30 Jan 2019

n/a vs pak Match Prediction & Analysis

Hosts South Africa will be looking to end the one-day series on a high when they take on Pakistan in the final game at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The home side completely misjudged the conditions on a wicket that looked a bit tacky in the first half of the game. The side succumbed to a heavy defeat at the hands of Pakistan in a game played at The Wanderers, Johannesburg. Faf du Plessis will have to raise their game with the bat and ball in order to win the one-day series on Wednesday.

On the other hand, Interim captain Shoaib Malik led Pakistan in an admirable fashion in the Pink one-day game played in Johannesburg. The bowlers clearly produced a pitch-perfect display to end South Africa’s winning streak at the venue. Pakistan have looked consistently good throughout this series and would be keen to win their second one-day series in South Africa.

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Preview

Hosts will have plenty of concerns in the batting and bowling department going into the series decider in Newlands.The home side has yet to produce their best effort with the bat in the four games played so far in this series. Quinton de Kock perished for a duck in the previous game of the one-day series. Left-handed batsman will need to deliver something special with the bat for South Africa.

Hashim Amla has shown good form for South Africa at the top of the innings. He once again scored a half-century for the side in the previous game played at The Wanderers. Reeza Hendricks will need to produce consistent scores at no.3 in order to retain his place in the final XI. He will be under the spotlight after failing to produce a score in the previous game.

Captain Faf du Plessis will have to take the blame after failing to read the conditions in the previous game. He played well and scored 57 runs off 76 balls with the help of five fours and a six. He will need to produce a notable score for the side in the final game of the one-day series.

David Miller has not scored runs for South Africa in this one-day series. Left-handed batsman will need to deliver as he is only averaging 25.50 with the bat in this series. 

In the bowling department, South Africa will need to worry as they have failed to pick up wickets with the new-ball. Dale Steyn bowled well in the previous game with no wickets to his name. Kagiso Rabada has looked jaded throughout this series and will need to produce his best for the final game at Newlands. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir bowled well and picked up one wicket in previous game played at The Wanderers. Beuran Hendricks and Andile Phehlukwayo will need to produce better returns with the ball in order to book their place in the squad for this year’s World Cup.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis (captain), David Miller, Reeza Hendricks, Andile Phehlukwayo Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Rassie Van der Dussen, , Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Beuran Hendricks.

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Imran Tahir, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, DW Steyn, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Willem Mulder, Hashim Amla, Andile Phehlukwayo, Faf du Plessis

Pakistan Preview

In the absence of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Pakistan delivered their best performance in the fourth game of the one-day series played at The Wanderers, Johannesburg. Interim captain Shoaib Malik showed excellent leadership to see Pakistan dismiss South Africa for a paltry score. The visitors certainly look favorites to win this one-day series after their emphatic win in the previous game.

Imam-ul-Haq has been a standout performer for the side at the top of the innings. He once again chipped in with a half-century. He is the leading run-scorer for Pakistan in the series with 263 runs in 4 matches at an average of 65.75.

The big positive for Pakistan is Fakhar Zaman finding form with the bat. He scored 44 runs off 44 balls with the help of seven fours. He will certainly be looking to deliver his best with the bat and help Pakistan win the one-day series against South Africa. Babar Azam has been consistent performer for Pakistan in this one-day series. He is averaging 57.00 with the bat in the four games played so far in this series.

Mohammad Rizwan will be play as first-choice wicket-keeper for the side and did an excellent job for the side in the previous game. Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez have contributed with crucial scores for the side in the one-day series.

In the bowling department, Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi produced an excellent spell with the new-ball. He has been standout performer with the ball in this one-day series. Pace bowler Usman Khan, who replaced Hasan Ali, bowled with express pace and ran through South Africa’s lower order to finish with four wickets in the previous game. 

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan bowled well and picked up two wickets in the fourth game of the one-day series. Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir bowled economically and did not allow South African batsmen to score freely in their innings.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Shoaib Malik (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Mohammad Amir, SI Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, F Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Shaheen Afridi

Weather Conditions

The pitch might have pace and bounce for the fast bowlers throughout the game. There will be spin on offer for slow bowlers in the second half of the game. The weather conditions for Wednesday will be partly cloudy.

Venue

The Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town always provides an interesting contest with bat and ball. The previous day-night game was played between India and South Africa last year.

Toss: To Bat

The side that wins the toss would want to bat first and put a mammoth score on the board. The spinners will play a huge role in this game.