CWC 2023: South Africa vs Pakistan match preview

Temba Bavuma is expected to return for the Pakistan game after missing out on the last two due to a stomach bug. He also mentioned that there is a good chance that Tabraiz Shamsi coming into the picture if the conditions dictate that. With four wins from five games, South Africa are on a roll and are looking like the team to beat. Another win in Chennai and they will consolidate their chances of a top-four finish.

Pakistan are not in great shape on and off the field. The PCB have been putting out defensive statements, claiming no discord in the team, while the players have looked listless on the field. With just two wins from five games, they are in do-or-die territory and have to bring their ‘A’ game against South Africa in Chennai – though they have already been hit by the absence of Hassan Ali, who is running fever.

SA vs PAK fantasy tips

# Quinton de Kock is in a purple patch of form, having hit three hundreds from five matches at the 2023 World Cup. Chennai may pose a different sort of challenge to him, but the rhythm he is in, expect him to overcome whatever is in front of him. He should be in your XI.

# Like de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen has lit up the World Cup in his last to games as well. One of the best players of spin in white-ball cricket currently, he will be South Africa’s go-to man in the middle order in Chennai.

# Aiden Markram has produced consistent returns with the bat at the World Cup. However, in Chennai, his may be needed to bowl for the first time in this campaign, particularly against Pakistan left-handers. He should be in your side as well as be one of your top captaincy picks.

# Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are two of Pakistan’s most secure batters. Even if they don’t produce quick runs, there’s a good chance that they will score enough to give a decent number of points.

South Africa vs Pakistan: Predicted XI

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi.

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

SA vs PAK: Dream11 team

Wicketkeepers: Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen (vc), Mohammad Rizwan

Batters: Babar Azam, Rassie van der Dussen, Saud Shakeel

All-rounders: Aiden Markram (c), Marco Jansen

Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Gerald Coetzee

Captaincy options: Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock

Potential swaps: Mohammad Nawaz for Marco Jansen, Abdullah Shafique for Babar Azam