Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
South Africa vs Pakistan 3rd T20I Preview Dream11
By Abdul Shakoor: @AbduShakoor_
Surprise! Surprise!
A dead rubber… in T20Is… with Pakistan on the other side of the table. They certainly had become a fine T20 side, without scoring too much runs, but rather relying on their bowling. The fall of Pakistan in this series has been poor finishing but on top of that poor bowling, usually their strong zone. In first T20I, they conceded too many runs in the first part of the innings and the opposite occurred in the second T20I. Usman Shinwari broke a record for the wrong reason, giving away 29 in the last match, conceding the most runs in a T20I by a Pakistani bowler.
For South Africa, this has been a fine series win. They have built confidence by holding their nerve against the number one ranked side, in the process sweeping all three formats. Their death bowling with Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo has been strong to restrict Pakistan from finishing off well, along with the powerful return to form of David Miller. Will they sweep the series 3-0?
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Key to a Pakistan win
Babar Azam has been the backbone of Pakistan’s batting this series, and will be key again. In the last match, he started his innings with three consecutive fours and did that three more times. Some of his shots were the real definition of class, which were so good to watch. However, it makes you wonder how Pakistan lost that after such a good start by him, which puts onus on the others to contribute more in the final game of the series. Can the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat and Shoaib Malik deliver?
Also, Imad Wasim has been economical and has applied pressure to the Proteas’ batsmen with his tight lines. Like Babar with the bat, Imad will be key to give Pakistan a good powerplay. Apart from him, Shaheen really bowled well in the Powerplay too, and will be key as part of a cohesive bowling effort Pakistan must display. It’s the middle and death overs bowling that has to improve, with Shadab Khan a player who should step up in addition to his fielding heroics in the match.
Key to a South Africa win
South Africa’s batting fired beautifully in Johannesburg, smashing Pakistan’s bowlers to all parts. Changes can be expected as part of experimentation, but whoever occupies the top positions need to ensure a platform is set for the dangerous David Miller. Reeza Hendricks has been in fine touch, and so too Rassie van der Dussen, which South Africa will be hoping for more of the same.
Also, although their opening bowlers are struggling a bit and Shamsi struggled too in the second T20I, Andile Phehlukwayo and Chris Morris have been superb at the death. What South Africa will want is to win the powerplay and middle over periods to stifle Pakistan through spin. Right arm quick Lutho Simpala encouraged plenty in his debut T20I, and will be key again. Indeed, a massive key to this will be the prized wicket of Babar Azam. Will the Proteas hold their nerve again?
Possible Playing 11
Expect Wiaan Mulder to debut, as all players from the South Africa squad were promised a game. It remains to be seen whether the Proteas choose to go with all their all-rounders.
South Africa Possible Playing 11: 1. Reeza Hendricks, 2.
Jaaneman Malan, 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. David Miller (c), 5. Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6. Gihahn Cloete/Andile Phuhlekwayo, 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. Chris Morris, 9. Lutho Sipamla, 10. Beuran Hendricks, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
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Pakistan probably have most of their focus on the upcoming PSL. For this game, they might make changes to their stuttering bowling attack.
Pakistan Possible Playing 11: 1. Babar Azam, 2. Fakhar Zaman 3. Hussain Talat 4. Shoaib Malik (c) 5. Asif Ali 6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7. Imad Wasim, 8. Shadab Khan, 9. Mohammad Amir, 10. Hasan Ali, 11. Shaheen Shah Afridi
Charbel Coorey’s Dream11 Prediction
Stats and Facts
- Shoaib Malik needs 28 runs to surpass Martin Guptill to become all-time leading run scorer in T20Is.
- Babar Azam has a whooping average of 55.19 in T20Is. That is the best average for any player with at least 20 innings in the format.
- This is Pakistan’s first series loss in T20Is in their last 12 attempts.
Match Prediction
Pakistan rightly entered this series confident of victory.
However, they have lost the key moments, and with little to play for, they could lose again. South Africa to win and take the series 3-0.
Thanks for reading!
South Africa vs Pakistan 3rd T20I Preview Dream11
