- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 13,542
After the first three rounds of the World Cup, South Africa and Pakistan were following similar paths. Both teams started with two convincing wins, followed by a loss that could have derailed their campaigns, considering its significance. South Africa's loss to the Netherlands, who might occupy the 10th spot, and Pakistan's loss to India, a one-sided contest, resulted in severe backlash.
Now, nearly ten days later, only one of these teams has managed to bounce back. Pakistan has experienced a complete turnaround in their fortunes, while two more losses have left them on thin ice. Their recent defeat to Afghanistan was particularly painful. As Shadab Khan had mentioned, everything can be forgotten if Pakistan can string together a series of wins. To start this winning streak, they need to perform well on Friday, October 27.
In 1992, the Pakistan team that won the tournament secured five consecutive victories when their campaign seemed on the brink of collapse. Achieving a similar four-game winning streak in 2023 could potentially lead Pakistan to the semifinals. However, this won't be easy, especially with South Africa as the first of those four opponents. South Africa has already posted impressive scores of 399, 382, and 300-plus runs in five games, showcasing their batting firepower. Therefore, it will be a challenging task for Pakistan's out-of-form pace attack to contain them.
Pakistan's best hope might be assistance from the pitch. While their spin attack doesn't inspire much confidence, they would rely on a typical Chepauk wicket to keep the South African middle order in check. South Africa faces a unique challenge, entering this game after two successive matches at the Wankhede. Their success will depend on how seamlessly they can adapt to the conditions and whether they can add to Pakistan's woes.
When: October 27, 2023, 2:00 PM IST
Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Teams
Pakistan:
Imam-ul-Haq and Haris Rauf may face scrutiny, despite Imam's 70-run performance in the loss to Australia. As Pakistan is in desperate need of a win, the possibility of replacing these two players with Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Wasim Jr should not be dismissed outright.
In terms of tactics and strategy, one player that Pakistan could target with spin, aside from the formidable de Kock, is Rassie van der Dussen. Although he has a strong record against spin in ODI cricket, he has been dismissed by spinners in all five games he played in this World Cup.
Shaheen Afridi will bear the responsibility for closing out the innings against batsmen like Klaasen and Miller. In the 2023 format, no bowler has taken more wickets in overs 41-50 than Shaheen, making him a key asset for Pakistan in this crucial period of the match.
South Africa:
Temba Bavuma is expected to make a return in place of Reeza Hendricks, according to the South African captain. Additionally, there's a possibility that Tabraiz Shamsi may be included in the lineup for this match, considering the venue's history.
In terms of tactics and strategy, spinners have struggled when playing under the lights at Chepauk in this year's World Cup. To counter the threat posed by Pakistan's spin trio, South Africa may need to adapt and opt for a chasing strategy.
Pakistan has a weak track record against left-arm leg spin, which should encourage the Proteas to adjust their playing combination for this match and introduce Shamsi into the lineup.
Squads:
South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lizaad Williams, Temba Bavuma, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
Pakistan Squad: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Fakhar Zaman, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz
==
All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:
1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.
2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.
3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.
4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.
