Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
South Africa vs Pakistan 3rd ODI Preview Dream11
A slightly disappointing feel.
This ODI series now has a distraction, after good, competitive cricket was the only item on the menu ahead of a World Cup. The ICC is currently investigating Sarfraz Ahmed after his taunt in the second ODI, which means he will be available for this game (as long as no verdict is handed beforehand). What mindset will he be in?
For South Africa, their cricketing mindset is something they will want to get right. Quinton de Kock and Dale Steyn return after being rested from the first two ODIs, and need to give the side a boost, despite the Proteas leveling the series in Durban. You get the feeling South Africa still have gaps to fill, but with plenty of talent at their disposal, they are capable. Will they take a 2-1 series lead?
It can be easy for Pakistan to focus on issues other than cricket at the moment, but this is where Sarfraz Ahmed needs to lead from the front. That the PCB have merely put out a statement is perhaps conversation for another forum, but Sarfraz will need to have his side focused and ready to perform as best he can. He can come in for criticism regarding his captaincy even at the best of times, so how he responds here will be key. Can Pakistan have a better outing and recapture their series lead?
Key to a South Africa win
South Africa have a gem. Rassie van der Dussen, in just his second ODI, held his nerve to get the Proteas home in Durban. However, that South Africa allowed for a situation where Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo were required to play big knocks (with some luck involved, too) is cause for improvement. Quinton de Kock will be key at the top, and will be looking to continue on from his Test form. Hashim Amla has shown he is in decent touch, and will also be crucial in blunting Pakistan at the top, paving the way for the likes of Dussen, Faf du Plessis, David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo to build a strong score.
Also, can the Proteas cause more problems for the Pakistan batsmen? In what will make one of the finest romantic movies, Dale Steyn is reunited with his love, Mohammad Hafeez, of whom he has dismissed 15 times in 28 innings across formats. South Africa’s attack was way too good for Pakistan’s top order in Durban, and how they utilise the short ball in Centurion conditions likely to offer bounce is key. Kagiso Rabada, along with Steyn and expected debutant Beuran Hendricks will look to expose the Pakistan middle order early to spin, and then clean up the tail better, which the Proteas weren’t able to do in Durban thanks to Hasan Ali’s brilliant effort. Andile Phehlukwayo put together one of the finest all-round efforts you’ll see in Durban, and he will be key again in offering Faf du Plessis important balance and performance.
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Key to a Pakistan win
Everyone knows what’s coming Pakistan’s way in Centurion. Their struggles against the short ball are still there for everyone to see.. Fakhar Zaman has not fired since Zimbabwe, and has to with his spot under scrutiny and his side needing a strong start. Imam-ul-Haq, who played well in the first ODI, will also be key, but how he and Babar Azam play the short ball after cheap dismissals in Durban will be key. Can Pakistan lay a platform for Shoaib Malik who loves Centurion? Can Mohammad Hafeez overcome his Dale Steyn struggles? Will Sarfraz Ahmed bat at six where his side needs him, and deliver amid the circumstances?
With the ball, Pakistan have reasons for encouragement. They were right in the game in Durban due to their young-gun Shaheen Shah Afridi ripping through South Africa’s top order, and similar is needed in Centurion. This South Africa side is still calling for top six to deliver consistently after shaky moments against Zimbabwe and Australia recently, so Pakistan have the opportunity to pounce. The wicket of in-form Quinton de Kock will be key, along with Hashim Amla and the excellent Rassie van der Dussen. Can Pakistan expose early the likes of Faf du Plessis and David Miller, forcing them to do plenty of rebuilding work?
Possible Playing 11
Quinton de Kock and Dale Steyn will slot back into South Africa’s XI. Seamer Beuran Hendricks is set to make his debut. Heinrich Klaasen, Duanne Olivier and Dane Paterson are out.
South Africa Possible Playing 11: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Hashim Amla, 3. Reeza Hendricks, 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. Faf du Plessis (c), 6. David Miller, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Dale Steyn, 10. Beuran Hendricks, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
Sarfraz Ahmed is set to play and captain Pakistan as the ICC investigate the incident in Durban. Pakistan will be after a better performance, but might guard against too many changes.
Pakistan Possible Playing 11: 1. Imam-ul-Haq, 2. Fakhar Zaman, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Mohammad Hafeez, 5. Shoaib Malik, 6. Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Hussain Talat, 9. Faheem Ashraf, 10. Hasan Ali, 11. Shaheen Shah Afridi
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Dream11 Prediction
- Quinton de Kock is coming off a fine Test series, and has an outstanding record at Centurion (four centuries in seven ODIs). He has 562 runs at 80.28.
- Hashim Amla also has a strong record at Centurion. In fact, he is the leading run scorer at the ground. Rassie van der Dussen, after leaving him out last match, is too good to ignore.
- Faf du Plessis and David Miller have underwhelming records at Centurion, and haven’t fired yet this series. Du Plessis has 168 runs in seven matches, averaging 28. Miller has 138 runs at 27.60.
- Shoaib Malik loves Centurion (242 runs at 121.00 in four ODIs).
- Pick Mohammad Hafeez if you wish to take a risk. Dale Steyn is back, and has dismissed Hafeez five times for 58 runs in ODIs. Andile Phehlukwayo is coming off a career best performance, scoring 69* and 4/22.
- Kagiso Rabada has just four wickets in five ODIs at Centurion, but a fine bowler can’t be written off. Pakistan’s struggles against the short ball makes him an effective option.
- Shadab Khan has been solid with the ball this series (three wickets).
Stats and Facts
- Kagiso Rabada needs five wickets to reach 100 in ODIs.
- South Africa have beaten Pakistan in three of the last five ODIs at Centurion.
- South Africa, with their win at Durban, broke a three match losing streak vs Asian opposition in home ODIs.
Match Prediction
Important game for both sides as the series will go past its midway point.
I expect South Africa to win on a pitch expected to have good bounce, on the back of a strong effort from de Kock, Amla and the bowlers.
Thanks for reading!
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South Africa vs Pakistan 3rd ODI Preview Dream11
