World Of Cricket

South Africa is leading the ODI series 2-1 and a victory in tomorrows ODI will give them a much needed series win whereas Pakistan will look to win tomorrows game to keep the series alive.

Shahid Afridi will be aiming to complete his 350 ODI wickets in tomorrows game © AFP

MATCH PREVIEW:

Pakistan and South Africa will face each other tomorrow for the fourth time in this ODI series at Durban, South Africa is currently leading the ODI series 2-1, but Pakistan will also be high on hopes as they had many positives to take out from the last game.

South African team will enter in tomorrows ODI without Faf du Plessis who made an impact in the last game with his quickfire 45 which in the end turned out to be a crucial innings in the context of the game. Now South Africa will be aiming to wrap up the series with victory in tomorrows ODI which will also boost their confidence before the Champions Trophy as they lost their last series against New Zealand.

On the other hand Pakistan will be banking on its experience players and they would be pleased with the batting form shown by Shahid Afridi in 1st and 3rd ODI though Shahid Afridi would also like to contribute with his bowling too. Pakistan will be hoping to ruin South Africa’s celebrations of series victory in tomorrows 4th ODI.

THE FAVOURITE:

Pakistan will start as favourites although they lost the last game but the fighting spirit shown by their batters would mean a great deal to them, they will be aiming to equalize the series.

Players to rely on:

Shahid Afridi at the current moment is nearing 400 international sixes, he has currently hit 392 international sixes and the form he has shown with the bat so far in this series leaves a possibility that he will reach 400 mark in this tour, he has also taken 348 wickets in his ODI career and he would like to complete his 350 wickets in this series.

Lowanbo Tsotsobe hasn’t had much success in this series thus far but he would like to change all that in tomorrows ODI, he can be a very handy bowler at times with his slow off cutters.

TEAMS:

Faf du Plessis will miss the remaining 2 ODIs due to his back problem which will mean that Quinton de Kock or David Miller will take his place, Morne Morkel might also play tomorrows ODI.

South Africa (most probable): 1 Graeme Smith 2 Hashim Amla 3 Colin Ingram, 4 AB de Villiers (capt & wk), 5 Quinton de Kock, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 Ryan McLaren 8 Robin Peterson 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Rory Kleinveldt, 11 Morne Morkel

For Pakistan, Mohammad Irfan possibly will rest in tomorrows ODI as he was struggling with his fitness in last ODI which will mean that Sohail Tanvir might get a chance also Umar Gul  may also make a comeback in tomorrows ODI.

Pakistan’s (most probable): 1 Nasir Jamshed, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Kamran Akmal (wk), 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Shoaib Malik, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Junaid Khan

Centurion: Pakistan’s think tank will be busy before the next ODI as they’ve lost the first match against South Africa in a one sided encounter.

Dav Whatmore will have alot to talk to his players before the next game © AFP

Pakistan will be preparing hard for the next ODI against South Africa, Pakistan has the ability to bounce back hard at their opponents they have done this in past ,they are a very unpredictable side in shorter version of game.

Pakistan will look to find the best possible combination before the next game. Pakistan were beaten in all departments in the first game. There bowling was not upto the mark which is unlike their nature because Pakistan is known to be a dangerous bowling unit with the varieties they have.

They have spinners of all kind. They have leg break bowler in Shahid Afridi, left hander specialist in Mohammad Hafeez, and the magic man Saeed Ajmal and they can also use Shoaib Malik who can be more then handy with the ball. With these spinning options they have also got variety in their pace as well in Umar Gul and Junaid khan. 

Mohammad Irfan was not selected in first ODI which is understandable as Pakistan don’t want the 7 footer to get injured by playing to much cricket. Pakistan batting also disappointed them in the first ODI with none of the batsmen getting to 50. When chasing a big score like 316 Pakistan would have ideally wanted one of its top 3 batters to carry his bat. But it did not happen.

Pakistan would like to forget what had happened with them in the first ODI and they would like to look ahead for the future. South Africa will be wary of the fact that Pakistan is a sort of team who can be very dangerous and can destroy its opponents completely.

The next ODI will be played at Centurion on 15th march. It will be a day-night encounter.

Bloemfontein: South Africa beat Pakistan in first ODI by a huge margin of 125 to take 1-0 lead in 5 match series, Colin Ingram was declared ‘player of the match’.

Shahid Afridi became the first man in ODIs to hit 300 or more sixes © AFP

The first ODI was won comfortably by South Africa but it had many things in it. Pakistan won the toss earliar and asked South Africa to bat first,Openers provided South Africa with a comfortable start putting up a opening stand of 72, Smith was the first wicket to fall for South Africa when he gave a simple catch to Kamran Akmal as he was trying to reverse sweep Saeed Ajmal.

Hashim Amla soon followed him, he made 43 and lived a charmed life in the middle, De Villiers than joined Colin Ingram and both milked Pakistani bowlers picking up singles and doubles and scoring a boundary in between. Both compiled a Partnership of 120 and the partnership was looking threatening but Saeed Ajmal removed Ab de Villiers for a well made 65.

From the other end Colin Ingram continued in his merry way, He gave Faf du plesis time to settle in. Faf du plesis after settling in hit 3 consecutive boundaries to Shahid Afridi, who was taken off the attack after that over. Faf du Plesis was eventually picked up by Junaid Khan he scored 26.

The fall of du Plesis allowed Farhaan Behardein to show his talent, he gave South Africa a perfect finish to their innings. Colin Ingram from the other end got to his 3rd century and 2nd against Pakistan. Both Ingram  and Behardein took South Africa’s score to over 300.

Pakistan from the start knew that they had a difficult job to do, they required a good start from Hafeez and Jamshed which they both gave. But as soon as Jamshed wicket fell there was no looking back from South Africa. They kept picking up wickets on regular basis to keep Pakistan one foot behind them.

Jamshed made 25 he was caught at first slip, Hafeez was the next to go he was just a bit unlucky as he got ran out at non-strikers end when Younis Khan played a straight drive which was deflected by Rory Kleinveldt’s hand into the stumps to end Hafeez’s stay.

Younis and Misbah then tried to rebuild the innings but they both fell in quick succession to leave Pakistan at 135 for 5. After that Shahid Afridi came in the middle who was appearing in his 350th ODI, Afridi had not much to celebrate in the bowling but he smashed a few blows with his blows.

Shahid Afridi became the center of attraction in the 34th over when he pulled Kleinveldt out of the park to reach to his 300 sixes, he became the first man in history of ODIs to hit 300 sixes. There was more boom boom to come from Afridi as in next over he sent the ball into the parking area.

Afridi needed support from the other end but tail enders couldn’t contribute much, Afridi was the last wicket to fall as Pakistan folded for 190 to give South Africa victory by 125 runs.

Result: South Africa won by 125 runs.

Man Of The Match: Colin Ingram (South Africa).

Durban: After 3-0 loss in the test series Pakistan aims to win the T20 series against South Africa but South Africa will not make it easy for Pakistan.

Shahid Afridi will be aiming to celebrate his 33rd birthday with a win © AFP

MATCH PREVIEW:

From the longest format of the game Pakistan and South Africa divert their attention into the shortest format of cricket i.e, T20. The crowd favourite format. Both teams have a decent T20 record and they will be looking to dominate each other.

After a big loss in test series Pakistan is all set to take revenge and they have many dangerous players to do this. They have the likes of Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik in the T20s who can turn the game on its head.

On the other hand South Africa will not make a ‘walk in the park’ scene for Pakistan as they are also well prepared to face their opponents. This series promises to be exciting and it can be anybody’s series.

The Favourite:

South Africa will have just a slight edge over Pakistan as they will begin the series with high morals after beating Pakistan in the test series.  But Pakistan cannot be underestimated in the T20 series as they have the players who can be very dangerous for their opponents.

Players to rely on:

The birthday boy Shahid Afridi who will be celebrating his 33rd birthday on the match day is all set to make an impact in the T20 series. The T20 cricket’s favourite son was the man of the tournament in 2007 t20 world cup and took his team to glory in the 2009 edition. He will be the man that South Africa will be targeting.

Man of the series from the test series AB de Villiers will most probably be opening in the T20 series. This will be the first that he will be opening if he does so. He is the one who can play a crucial role and Pakistan will be aware of that.

Teams:

Pakistan will look to field the same eleven which they did in India. The presence of Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik will boost them in the t20 series.

(Pakistan’s most probable) 1 Nasir Jamshed, 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Mohammed Hafeez (capt), 4 Umar Akmal, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Kamran Akmal (wk), 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Juniad Khan, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammed Irfan 

For South Africa, Faf du Plesis will now be captaining the side permanently and Ab de Villiers most probably will open the innings. Ryan Mclaren might get selected ahead of Kyle Abbotts who had a dream test debut.

(South Africa’s most probable) 1 AB de Villiers (wk), 2 Henry Davids, 3 Faf du Plessis (capt), 4 Justin Ontong, 5 David Miller, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 Chris Morris, 8 Robin Peterson, 9 Rory Kleinveldt, 10 Ryan McLaren, 11 Lonwabo Tsotsobe 

Durban: As the test series is over both the teams shifts their focus into Twenty 20 Internationals which will be starting from 1st march.

Shahid Afridi adds versatility into Pakistan team © AFP

SERIES PREVIEW:

Pakistan and South Africa will be facing each other in two T20′s starting from 1st March. Both teams have a decent T20 record.

FAVORITE:

It is a hard choice to pick up a favourite team for this T20 series as both teams set high standards. South Africa has dangerous players who can turn the game on its head whereas Pakistan is unpredictable team in the shortest format they are the only team to play all four semi-finals of T20 world-cup, Pakistan will also be recalling the t20 match they played against South Africa in T20 world cup which they won by 1 wicket. But South Africa will start the series with high morals as they have beaten Pakistan in the test series recently.

Let us analyze the potential of both teams and the players who can destroy their opponents on their day.

SOUTH AFRICA:

AB de Villiers:

Sets high standards. He was the man of the series and played the series winning role in the test series and he can play a same role in T20 series as well.

Faf du Plesis:

South Africa’s permanent T20 captain now. This man can turn the game on its head he has the ability to surprise its opponents. He is also one of the finest fielder of modern era.

Robin Peterson:

A very usefull T20 cricketer. He can bat, he can bowl and a very good fielder. He can also through the ball with both hands. A player to watch out in the coming series.

Lonwabo Tsotsobe:

With the absence of Steyn and Morkel from the t20 series Tsotsobe role is much more important as he will have to play a leading role if we talk about the seamers.

PAKISTAN:

Shahid Afridi:

The crowd puller Shahid Afridi will be playing a key role in Pakistan team. Shahid Afridi has the ability to demolish his opponents. From no where he can turn the game.

Nasir Jamshed:

Nasir Jamshed has had a successful T20 world cup and India series. Now he will be looking to perform in the T20′s against South Africa.

Shoaib Malik:

Experience of Shoaib Malik can help Pakistan alot. He is a good player and can provide Pakistan with extra bowling option. He is a brilliant fielder too.

Mohammad Irfan:

Mohammad Irfan has had a decent test series and he also troubled India in India. With his height he can generate extra pace and bounce which can trouble South Africa.

Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced their squad of ODIs and T20s against South Africa. Shahid Afridi to make a comeback in ODIs.

Afridi makes a comeback in ODIs against SA

Former captain Shahid Afridi has made a comeback in Pakistan’s ODI squad after being dropped from Indian tour last year.Squad for the 5 ODIs is: Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Imran Farhat, Abdur Rehman. ODI squad seens to be a balence squad in the presence of Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal and Wahab Riaz who will strengthen Pakistan’s squad.

Squad for 2 T20s is: Mohammad Hafeez (Captain), NasirI Jamshed, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Amin, Zulfiqar Babar, Asad Ali, Junaid Khan. Pakistan will play 5 ODIs and 2 T20s against South Africa.Sohail Tanvir is dropped from T20 squad and Wahab Riaz who has performed well against Afghanistan and in domestic tournament seems to be a good choice as he is a swing bowler who can swing the bowl in both ways and he has also got pace.