Pakistan to face in-form South Africa in a do-or-die World Cup match

Pakistan will clash with South Africa in a do-or-die World Cup match on Friday (October 27) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Babar Azam-led side has lost three back-to-back matches against Australia, India, and Afghanistan.

On the other hand, South Africa has won four out of five matches, with their only upset against Netherlands.

For Pakistan, currently sitting at the sixth position with 4 points on the points table, losing this match would end their hopes of progressing in the World Cup. Even if they win the match, they will still need a few results going in their favor, such as Australia losing their next two matches.

For South Africa, winning this match would strengthen their chances of making it to the semi-finals.

Pakistan’s middle-order weakness continues to haunt them

• It's widely acknowledged that Pakistan lacks a quality middle-order, an issue that has plagued the team for the last two years.
• Apart from Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Abdullah Shafique, Pakistan's middle-order features relatively inexperienced players such as Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Hasan Ali.
• None of these players have demonstrated consistent match-winning performances in recent months.
• Furthermore, Pakistan's pace attack, previously considered one of the best in the World Cup, has faltered. Shaheen Afridi has not been in his best form, while Haris Rauf has struggled to replicate his T20 cricket success.
• With Naseem Shah sidelined due to injury, Hasan Ali has not been able to adequately fill the gap.
• Additionally, the lack of quality spinners in the team may trouble Pakistan in Chepauk. Chepauk is known as a batting paradise and offers favorable conditions for spinners.
• The decision to include Usama Mir in the last two matches has not yielded the desired results, as the spinner claimed only 1 wicket in 2 matches, with an economy rate exceeding 8.
• Shadab Khan's performance has been average, and Mohammad Nawaz is also not considered a top-tier spinner.

South Africa’s strong batting line-up supported by good pacers

• The Proteas have been in top form this season, scoring 300 plus runs in four out of five matches.
• With players like Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie Van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, and Marco Jansen, the team boasts a robust batting line-up.
• Temba Bavuma might miss the match due to injury, with Aiden Markram expected to lead the team.
• The team's pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, is complemented by spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabrez Shamsi.
• Overall, the South African team appears stronger on paper compared to Pakistan.
• However, Pakistan's unpredictability in the game could lead to surprising outcomes. In head-to-head battles, South Africa has won 51 out of 82 matches played so far, while Pakistan has won 30.

Probable playing XIs

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c ), Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Saud Shakeel, Usama Mir, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c ),  Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie Van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Goetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Lizaad Williams.