South Africa will host Pakistan in the first of the three-match T20I series in Kingsmead, Durban starting today (December 10). Here's Wisden's pick of the betting odds for the opening game.
South Africa v Pakistan first T20I: Who will win?
Heinrich Klaasen will lead South Africa instead of Aiden Markram due to the sharp turnaround from the Sri Lanka Tests. Apart from Markram, all-format players Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaja and Tristan Stubbs are also unavailable. Since their runners-up finish in the T20 World Cup this year, they haven’t quite replicated the success in their following assignments, with a 0-3 loss against West Indies, a 1-1 draw against Ireland and a 1-3 series defeat against India at home.
Pakistan were ousted from the first round of the T20 World Cup and haven’t had a great time afterwards either, losing 0-3 in Australia. However, they are entering on a high of a 2-1 series win, albeit against Zimbabwe.
Despite fielding a depleted side, the odds are in South Africa’s favour to seal the opening fixture. Batery is offering a 1.55 return on every pound bet on South Africa’s’ win, with a 2.50 return on a Pakistan victory.
Mark Taylor is not pleased with Mohammed Siraj's tendency to celebrappeal, calling it "disrespectful".
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 10, 2024
But more serious for Siraj is the threat of sanctions for it in ICC's Code of Conduct 😲
READ: https://t.co/Wnvhi1qdb5 pic.twitter.com/aHbnR9mYwB
SA v PAK first T20I: Which side will hit most fours and sixes?
South Africa’s middle order still packs a punch, with the explosive duo of Klaasen and David Miller present in their ranks. Klaasen’s matchup against Pakistan’s latest bowling gem Sufiyan Muqeem in the middle overs will be an interesting subplot.
For Pakistan, Babar Azam and captain Mohammad Rizwan have always been their accumulator but the argument that works against them is their scoring rate. Saim Ayub, added in the top order for his explosiveness, is yet to notch up a significant score in the format.
South Africa are priced at 1.90 on Batery to hit more fours, compared to Pakistan’s 1.73. In terms of sixes, the hosts are a safe bet as well at 2.00 contrary to Pakistan's 1.80.
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