Last Updated on 5 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Pakistan prevailed by two wickets in a closely-fought ODI two days ago. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s team made things a little tougher on themselves as they were well on course to chase South Africa’s 263, but a flurry of late wickets gave the Proteas hope.

Faisalabad will host the second ODI as well and it will be interesting to see how the pitch behaves. Spinners found turn and the pace bowlers were able to get reverse swing in abrasive conditions on Tuesday. Assuming the same trend eventuates, the openers from both teams will need to cash in against the brand new ball.

Victory for Pakistan will give them a welcome ODI series win in what has been a disappointing year to date in this format. South Africa’s inexperienced team will be aiming to build on their first up showing. It’s all to play for ahead of the third and final ODI at the same venue on Saturday.

PAK vs SA 2nd ODI 2025 Possible Playing XIs

Pakistan could stick with the same team that won the first ODI.

Pakistan: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Saim Ayub, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5. Salman Agha, 6. Hussain Talat, 7. Hasan Nawaz, 8. Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), 10. Naseem Shah, 11. Abrar Ahmed

Rubin Hermann has replaced Dewald Brevis in the South Africa squad. Brevis is out of the series with an injury.

South Africa: 1. Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 2. Quinton de Kock (wk), 3. Tony de Zorzi, 4. Matthew Breetzke, 5. Sinethemba Qeshile, 6. Donovan Ferreira, 7. George Linde, 8. Corbin Bosch, 9. Bjorn Fortuin, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Lizaad Williams/Nandra Burger

Iqbal Stadium Faislabad Pitch Report and Weather

The best time for batting was against the new balls in the first 10-15 overs of both innings in the first ODI. South Africa put on 98 for the first wicket, before Pakistan scored 87. Then, things slowed down in the middle overs for both teams. There was turn available for the spinners, reverse for the quicks, and it could be a similar story in the second ODI.

“I was expecting dew here [in the first ODI] but there was no dew, and without dew it was tough in the second innings, it was turning and staying low and reversing,” said Salman Agha in the post-most presentation.

In 17 List A matches across the Champions Cup and President’s Cup Grade-I (1-Day) in October 2024, the average first innings score was 286.71 at a run rate of 5.88. The team batting first won 12 matches. No team successfully chased 200+ in these matches.

Another hazy day is forecast with 0% chance of rain.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs SA 2nd ODI 2025: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Quinton de Kock made a strong return to ODI cricket. He struck 63 (71) two days ago. QdK has 653 runs against Pakistan at an average of 38.41 and strike rate of 88.24.
• Mohammad Rizwan offers excellent fantasy value. He is proactive with the bat and has excellent numbers against the Proteas: 11 inns, 398 runs, avg. 44.22, SR 86.52.
• Lhuan dre-Pretorius is a solid pick in Dream11 given batting conditions are best in the first 15 overs. He scored a 60-ball 57 on debut two days ago.

Key batter picks:

• Will we see the best of Babar Azam today? He missed out in the first ODI but has enjoyed success on this ground with scores of 76 (79) and 104* (100) in the 2024 Champions One Day Cup.
• Matthew Breetzke has 509 runs in seven ODIs at an average of 72.71 and strike rate of 100.39. This includes four fifties and a century. The Proteas’ skipper enjoys this format.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Salman Agha has won man of the match in his last two ODIs against South Africa (134 and 62). He can also provide some overs against South Africa’s left-handed top three, although he was expensive in the opening encounter.
• Corbin Bosch is a genuine Dream11 captain/vice captain in this match. He offers excellent all-round value as seen in the T20Is and first ODI, where he scored 41 and took 2/32.
• Saim Ayub is also an excellent captain/vice captain option. He will be called on to bowl against South Africa’s right-handers in the middle overs and opens the batting in good conditions.

Key bowler picks:

• Naseem Shah has nine wickets in five ODIs against the Proteas, including 3/40 in the first ODI. Naseem was excellent in the tricky middle and death overs. His accuracy can work wonders in this period.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi also offers the possibility of lower order runs. He has 26 wickets in 14 ODIs against South Africa (avg. 27.53).
• Lungi Ngidi is the experienced player in South Africa’s bowling lineup, but has some poor matchups (see below). Nonetheless, his changes of pace bring about wicket-taking opportunities at the death, as we saw in the first ODI.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Fakhar Zaman made a start in the first ODI (45) and will bat when conditions are best.
• Abrar Ahmed could bowl in the final 10 overs again. Abrar has bowled well of late and will test the Proteas middle order with his variations.
• George Linde didn’t have his best game two days ago but he still offers value for fantasy cricket. He can provide lower order runs and will get through his overs on a pitch that could offer turn.
• Bjorn Fortuin was accurate and consistent in the first ODI, conceding 3.80 per over. It will be interesting to see if Pakistan try to take him on more and if that brings about more wicket-taking opportunities.

Other stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Head-to-head: Matches 88, Pakistan 35, South Africa 52, N/R 1.
• Mohammad Rizwan has made scores of 122* and 55 in his last two ODIs against South Africa.
• Saim Ayub averages 57.3 batting second in ODIs compared to 36.2 batting first.
• Lungi Ngidi vs Fakhar Zaman in ODIs: 61 balls, 71 runs, no wickets.
• Lungi Ngidi vs Babar Azam in ODIs: 52 balls, 63 runs, no wickets.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi vs Quinton de Kock in ODIs: 89 balls, 94 runs, three wickets.
• Corbin Bosch vs Mohammad Rizwan in ODIs: 31 balls, 41 runs, one wicket.
• Corbin Bosch has enjoyed success against Babar Azam in T20Is (14 balls, 21 runs, two wickets). Can he do the same in ODIs?

PAK vs SA 1st ODI 2025 Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

PAK vs SA 2nd ODI 2025 Match Prediction: Who will win?

Pakistan have enough experience and quality to win again.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo and Cricmetric.