ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan v South Africa | Match 26 | Chennai | 27 October | Pre-Match Discussion

[Cricket Warrior]

After the surprising defeat to Afghanistan, Pakistan now faces the challenge of regaining their momentum and winning all their matches to stay in contention. However, there are concerns about the team's current combination, which appears to be weak and in need of improvement.

Whereas, South Africa appears to be the clear frontrunner in this World Cup, boasting a well balanced team. Their batsmen are in excellent form and they possess the tournament's most formidable bowling unit. Consequently, they are expected to be the favored team when facing Pakistan.


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[Kianig89]

Nobody in their senses would think Pakistan will beat SA, infact it will be a clash of contrasting styles and add salt to wounds two Saffers Arthur and Morkel are our architect.
Sa to score 400+ and Pakistan crushed on 250
Pakistan laboured to 260 SA to chase it in 33 overs

 

[sweep_shot]

South Africa are favorites without a doubt.

Pakistan have to play very well to beat them.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Klasen vs Shadab/Mir/Nawaz will be mouth watering.

 

[emranabbas]

500+ incoming if SA bats first
If Pak Bats First SA will chase 200 in 20 overs

 

[GLORY OF '92]

SA 1st 400+

Pakistan 150

Pakistan 1st 220 to 270

SA chase in 40 to 45

 

[saqib.rai]

We will win InshAllah and this will start our momentum in this World Cup
Hopefully we can win all the remaining 4 matches and qualify for semis

 

[GLORY OF '92]

We will win InshAllah and this will start our momentum in this World Cup
Hopefully we can win all the remaining 4 matches and qualify for semis

Please stop this madness. Team is completely disintegrated.

We will most likely suffer 4 massive losses. It's not even likely we will win 1 match.

 

[sweep_shot]

South Africa can effectively kill group stage in this game. If Pakistan lose, they should get eliminated. Pakistani elimination means SA, India, NZ, and Australia are going to semi (most likely).

 

[Kianig89]

Will be fun if Haris Rauf bowls his full 10 overs, it could be something like 132/0 in 10 overs, Markram Klassen Jansen are a different beast, Imam should fake an injury to avoid embarrassment

 

[Professionalismandflair]

Please stop this madness. Team is completely disintegrated.

We will most likely suffer 4 massive losses. It's not even likely we will win 1 match.

At last a voice of sanity.

 

[Kroll]

South Africa are favorites without a doubt.

Pakistan have to play very well to beat them.

Well they did lose to Dutch postmen and taxi drivers.

 

[jnaveen1980]

This loss has opened the door for England. Now England will fight hard against Australia.

 

[IMMY69]

I hope we play an unchanged side.
Not because we'll win but because they deserve to lose together

 

[WengerOut]

This loss has opened the door for England. Now England will fight hard against Australia.

I think they have SL and Ind before that

 

[Kroll]

South Africa can effectively kill group stage in this game. If Pakistan lose, they should get eliminated. Pakistani elimination means SA, India, NZ, and Australia are going to semi (most likely).

These are the best teams, although I like laughing at the Saffers when they inevitably choke, would hope they win it, them or NZ.

 

[hur rizvi]

Pakistan are done and dusted. Babar should play all his best friends in the next match. Brig on the team masseur in the XI if he's a good friend

 

[sweep_shot]

This loss has opened the door for England. Now England will fight hard against Australia.

England lost 3 already. They also have a very bad NRR. I don't think they can make it.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Time to drop Imam, Shadab, Usama & Haris Rauf.

Playing XI:

1) Fakhar Zaman
2) Abdullah Shafique
3) Babar Azam
4) Mohammed Rizwan
5) Saud Shakeel
6) Agha Salman
7) Iftikhar Ahmed
8) Mohammed Nawaz
9) Hasan Ali
10) Shaheen Afridi
11) Mohammed Wasim Jr

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Time to drop Imam, Shadab, Usama & Haris Rauf.

Playing XI:

1) Fakhar Zaman
2) Abdullah Shafique
3) Babar Azam
4) Mohammed Rizwan
5) Saud Shakeel
6) Agha Salman
7) Iftikhar Ahmed
8) Mohammed Nawaz
9) Hasan Ali
10) Shaheen Afridi
11) Mohammed Wasim Jr

Fully agreed with that. Bench players should get chance to play in WC.

 

[Justcrazy]

I do not think Pakistan players believe they can win this game. They are mentally finished right now. Babar is the worst captain I have seen in Pakistan after Waqar Younis.

 

[ArabKnight]

Who gives a damn lol? I won’t have peace until Babar is removed from the team.

 

[IMMY69]

I do not think Pakistan players believe they can win this game. They are mentally finished right now. Babar is the worst captain I have seen in Pakistan after Waqar Younis.

Babar is the worst captain Pakistan has ever had... in the history of Pakistan Cricket.

 

[ArabKnight]

I do not think Pakistan players believe they can win this game. They are mentally finished right now. Babar is the worst captain I have seen in Pakistan after Waqar Younis.

Worst captains:
1. Babar Azam
2. Misbah ul Haq
3. Azhar Ali

 

[Justcrazy]

Babar is the worst captain Pakistan has ever had... in the history of Pakistan Cricket.

Its close call between Waqar and Babar.

Waqar was tactically midget , babar is timid.

 

[Justcrazy]

Worst captains:
1. Babar Azam
2. Misbah ul Haq
3. Azhar Ali

Misbah was good in home tests against quality teams. He utilized proper spinners , Babar has NO positives.

 

[Justcrazy]

Who gives a damn lol? I won’t have peace until Babar is removed from the team.

He will be removed as Captain , he can rejoice at his home and play friendship book cricket games with his friends.

 

[Nado_]

Don’t bother watching boys, better to just wait until after World Cup and some changes made . I’ve never seen such a pathetic performance on the field along with an ever more pathetic captain. I’m signing off here for a while . Salaams

 

[jattafridi]

come on Pakistan u can do it

 

[IMMY69]

Its close call between Waqar and Babar.

Waqar was tactically midget , babar is timid.

Waqar was inept but Babar takes it for me...
He's had a much longer rope as captain then Waqar... two Asia cups, two T20 world cups and a 50 over World Cup and hasn't learned anything...

 

[160KPH]

South Africa will score 500 against us our spin bowling department is horrible all the way through

 

[160KPH]

Don’t bother watching boys, better to just wait until after World Cup and some changes made . I’ve never seen such a pathetic performance on the field along with an ever more pathetic captain. I’m signing off here for a while . Salaams

Unfortunately, ODI is dead after this event brother. We don’t have another one for like a year, same with lots of other teams.

 

[hitthestump]

We can’t buy, beg or borrow a wicket at the moment. It’s time to pack the batting line up and tell everyone bar Shaheen to bowl defensive lines.

Fakhar
Abdullah
Babar
Rizwan
Saud
Agha
Chacha
Shadab
Shaheen
Hasan Ali
Rauf

 

[Cricket Warrior]

South Africa will score 500 against us our spin bowling department is horrible all the way through

no wont allow them because we will bat first

 

[topspin]

Imam shouldn't play any more games in this tournament. Drop Shadab and Usama Mir and give Abrar a go.

Drop Rauf because his extra pace will come on very nicely to the bat. He's going to be harmless on a slow Chennai wicket. He doesn't know how to bowl in the early and middle overs so there's no point persisting with him.

I would bring back Nawaz to form a 3 spin attack even though I don't rate him but unfortunately he's the only full time left arm spin option Pakistan has. Just goes to show how badly we're missing Imad and Amir (if fully fit and willing to play).

 

[Sunzi]

Ah man too soon to even think about this.

 

[7sins]

i hope and pray all 4 other teams destroy this pak team in the rest of the 4 matches so these fake superstars who were fighting for Contract with big pay and more nocs get crushed and humiliated in front of the world

 

[Amjid Javed]

I hope we play an unchanged side.
Not because we'll win but because they deserve to lose together

Someone's hacked immy69 account, no way has he posted an actual sense of reality post

 

[DandyFellow]

Historically whenever Pakistan has made a comeback somebody has been added into the team and he starts performing and we try again. This time I do not see anything changing so results should be similar.
The only option they have is to somehow bring in Abrar from reserves. There is no point playing half fit players so Fakhar should better be ruled out. Abrar is last roll of the dice which might not work but it has to be done at expense of any bowler or Fakhar. Imam needs to be dropped for good too.
My team for this match and going forward.

Abdullah
Rizwan (WK)
Babar
Saud
Agha
Ifti
Shadab ( play him as a batsman mainly)
Hasan
Shaheen
Haris
Abrar

Tell Rizwan to play first 10 overs as T20 and give him cushion to attack. Bring Saud at 4 and Agha at 5. Shadab at 7 as a batsman because he is better batsman than Nawaz. Share 5th bowler amongst Ifti, Agha and Shadab.
Use Abrar in the 1st powerplay along with Shaheen and Hasan. Do not bowl Haris in 1st powerplay. Use 6 overs of Haris in middle overs ( 3 over bursts) and 4 in the death. Use Abrar's remaining overs in middle overs. Bring back Hasan after 30th over as the ball becomes older. Same for Shaheen but after Hasan to keep attacking.
For 5th bowler, in middle overs rotate Ifti, Agha and Shadab smartly by not letting batsmen settle on any of them. Bowl them like T20 spells for which they are comfortable. If someone is bowling well then bowl them more on that day. Stop thinking who is the main bowler. If Ifti is bowling well then bowl him more than Shadab.
Death bowling is fine so stick with similar plan.

Within the squad and its limitations, I find this team to atleast give a fight.

 

[gazza619]

Can we just go home

 

[Mamoon]

Can't wait for Shadab's full tosses and half-trackers to Klaasen and Miller.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Can't wait for Shadab's full tosses and half-trackers to Klaasen and Miller.

Don't forget Rauf and Hasan. I fear for Hasan in that match.

 

[Rana]

We will win InshAllah and this will start our momentum in this World Cup
Hopefully we can win all the remaining 4 matches and qualify for semis

Yeah best of luck winning 6 games in a row

 

[Rana]

All of Pakistan should pray that Bavuma plays this game and Hendricks sits out

If they play the same XI that played against England, they are going to annihilate this Pakistan side!

 

[jattafridi]

Pakistan Will win

If Pakistan bat first 355/4

If South Africa bat first 244 ao

 

[ex-q-zit]

If SA plays like the last match they may become the 1st ODI team to score 500

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Historically whenever Pakistan has made a comeback somebody has been added into the team and he starts performing and we try again. This time I do not see anything changing so results should be similar.
The only option they have is to somehow bring in Abrar from reserves. There is no point playing half fit players so Fakhar should better be ruled out. Abrar is last roll of the dice which might not work but it has to be done at expense of any bowler or Fakhar. Imam needs to be dropped for good too.
My team for this match and going forward.

Abdullah
Rizwan (WK)
Babar
Saud
Agha
Ifti
Shadab ( play him as a batsman mainly)
Hasan
Shaheen
Haris
Abrar

Tell Rizwan to play first 10 overs as T20 and give him cushion to attack. Bring Saud at 4 and Agha at 5. Shadab at 7 as a batsman because he is better batsman than Nawaz. Share 5th bowler amongst Ifti, Agha and Shadab.
Use Abrar in the 1st powerplay along with Shaheen and Hasan. Do not bowl Haris in 1st powerplay. Use 6 overs of Haris in middle overs ( 3 over bursts) and 4 in the death. Use Abrar's remaining overs in middle overs. Bring back Hasan after 30th over as the ball becomes older. Same for Shaheen but after Hasan to keep attacking.
For 5th bowler, in middle overs rotate Ifti, Agha and Shadab smartly by not letting batsmen settle on any of them. Bowl them like T20 spells for which they are comfortable. If someone is bowling well then bowl them more on that day. Stop thinking who is the main bowler. If Ifti is bowling well then bowl him more than Shadab.
Death bowling is fine so stick with similar plan.

Within the squad and its limitations, I find this team to atleast give a fight.

Rizwan doesnt even attack in T20.

How does he attack in ODI.

Stat pad? Sure.

 

[adzzy786]

Another thumping loading….

 

[160KPH]

Just go with 4 fast bowlers, Mohammad Wasim Jr in for Usama Mir and let Iftikhar bowl Shadab’s overs. Or even let Nawaz replace Shadab. Shadab and Usama would legitimately let South Africa reach 500 runs.

 

[batandballbattle]

Lambs to the slaughter. If Afghanistan can win against us so easily and confidently, I shudder to think how SA will tear us apart.

Our only small sliver of hope is that since we're coming back to the same ground our spinners will adjust to suit the slow pitch, but common sense tells me that I'll just see the same old innocuous half trackers and full tosses.

 

[NeVerMind]

Babar should abdicate from Kuptaancy and make Chacha the new Kuptaan. Let's have some fun for the remaining matches and give Chacha a proper send off before he retires (only joking, he will never retire!)

 

[DandyFellow]

Rizwan doesnt even attack in T20.

How does he attack in ODI.

Stat pad? Sure.

I understand your argument for T20 format but if he plays the same way he does in T20, he will be able to hit a strike rate of 120 which is really good for ODI. And his competition is Imam who on his best day can hit around 100. I personally also think Fakhar is not fit so there is no point playing him. Lastly, even if you are a severe critic of Rizwan, you would agree that his game is best suited up the order. The place has been created due to Fakhar's injury and you have only Imam.

For me Rizwan> Imam.

After World Cup, I will take Saim Ayub with Abdullah in ODIs.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Pakistan needs to change their team. Their current combination is clearly not working. Try out some bench players. Nothing to lose for Pakistan.

Maharaj and Shamsi will be very difficult to handle on Chennai pitch. Rabada, Coetzee and Jansen will also be very difficult irrespective of the pitch. Odds are stacked against Pakistan.

 

[DandyFellow]

Rizwan doesnt even attack in T20.

How does he attack in ODI.

Stat pad? Sure.

The strike rate I provided as 120 is for the batting powerplay only. Once that ends, he will play around 100-105 SR max.

 

[Maher96]

Fakhar and Nawaz will be back.

I see them moving Shadab to 5 to up the scoring.

Saud and Ifti to come at 6,7 with Nawaz at 8.

Jr will get a outing instead of Haris.

Pakistan will win the game!

 

[Maher96]

I want to add, Mickey n co May be sacked by Wednesday with Inzi n co taking over!

Inzi to be team director with Abdur Rehman as coach.

All officials upset with Mickey showing dissent during the game.

 

[shokz1408]

We are going to get hammered by the South African batsmen.

 

[rickroll]

Worst captains:
1. Babar Azam
2. Misbah ul Haq
3. Azhar Ali

Question of ignorance - why was Azhar Ali bad?

 

[Mamoon]

I think South Africa’s will end their recent losing streak in ICC tournaments against Pakistan this time and dump Pakistan out of the World Cup, officially ending Pakistan’s misery.

 

[Technics 1210]

If Netherlands can beat SA, so too can Pakistan.

Going for the Pakistan win.

 

[ArabKnight]

Question of ignorance - why was Azhar Ali bad?

Plenty of whitewashes and introduced Babar Azam.

 

[mominsaigol]

Why even make this thread? Just change the title to, South Africa bullies Pakistan pre match discussion.

Markram and quinton will murder this toothless bowling line up apart.

I kept telling everyone over and over. 250 to 270 wouldn't have been enough. You can have the worlds best spinning wickets, it doesn't matter if the bowlers can't spin lol

 

[mominsaigol]

Fakhar and Nawaz will be back.

I see them moving Shadab to 5 to up the scoring.

Saud and Ifti to come at 6,7 with Nawaz at 8.

Jr will get a outing instead of Haris.

Pakistan will win the game!

Oh bhai, how many times do we keep shifting sheddy and nawaz . Its like replacing one broken door with another broken door, Sa won't exactly encounter any barriers.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Oh bhai, how many times do we keep shifting sheddy and nawaz . Its like replacing one broken door with another broken door, Sa won't exactly encounter any barriers.

just 4 more times

 

[hitthestump]

Fakhar and Nawaz will be back.

I see them moving Shadab to 5 to up the scoring.

Saud and Ifti to come at 6,7 with Nawaz at 8.

Jr will get a outing instead of Haris.

Pakistan will win the game!

Agha for Nawaz, and i also agree Mohammad Wasim should play instead of Rauf. Rauf is just a victim on these wickets.

 

[ChennaiFan]

Pakistan has a good chance to defeat South Africa.
Factors:
1. Pitch - If the pitch offers spin, it is an advantage to Pakistan. They will also be acclimatized to the conditions as they already played a game and get to practice there more.
2. Match-up - Pakistan generally beats South Africa in ICC tournaments.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Oh bhai, how many times do we keep shifting sheddy and nawaz . Its like replacing one broken door with another broken door, Sa won't exactly encounter any barriers.

Like replacing malaria with dengue. Both are unpleasant and hard to get rid off. Enough politeness with these losers.

 

[mominsaigol]

Like replacing malaria with dengue. Both are unpleasant and hard to get rid off. Enough politeness with these losers.

Idk man according to Babar, these 2 are his best bowlers . All hafeez said to Babar was, bro consider a specialist spinner and Babar was like no, if I don't get my team, I will walk out. I hold pcb hostage bro. Cake only for me and my boys hahaha.

What a captain we have

 

[Technics 1210]

If some Pakistan 'fans' are dead certain Pakistan will lose vs South Africa, then save yourself 9 hours and do better things, like I don't know, your school homework?

What kind of a sicko gets a rise out of watching their team lose, whilst wasting their precious time following a team they want to lose? (Rhetorical).

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Idk man according to Babar, these 2 are his best bowlers . All hafeez said to Babar was, bro consider a specialist spinner and Babar was like no, if I don't get my team, I will walk out. I hold pcb hostage bro. Cake only for me and my boys hahaha.

What a captain we have

Called it in 2021 that he's not a captain but our Facebook and tiktok kids don't listen to anyone.

 

[mominsaigol]

Called it in 2021 that he's not a captain but our Facebook and tiktok kids don't listen to anyone.

These boys were celebrating hitting s 6 in the powerplay

 

[GLORY OF '92]

These boys were celebrating hitting s 6 in the powerplay

Like Wasim said. Let me hunt these guys down, let me slap them senseless.

 

[shah9425]

Not seeing much hope for this match

Hopefully they put some fight

 

[vodafone_lover]

Be ready for another miserable defeat from proteas

 

[WengerOut]

"Lads, it is South Africa " - Mickey Arthur ( Read it in Fergie's tottenham reference tone )

 

[alihasnain861]

I think we will beat SA though it will not be easy but i am telling you guys we will for sure beat them

We should go with this line up:

Fakhar
Abdullah
Babar
Rizwan
Haris
Iftikhar
Saud / Salman
Usama Mir
Nawaz / Shadab
Hassan Ali
Shaheen
Rauf (as we don't have any other choice)

Better give a chance to salman ali agha instead of saud and one out of nawaz and shadab should play

 

[Dr_Bassim]

If some Pakistan 'fans' are dead certain Pakistan will lose vs South Africa, then save yourself 9 hours and do better things, like I don't know, your school homework?

What kind of a sicko gets a rise out of watching their team lose, whilst wasting their precious time following a team they want to lose? (Rhetorical).

Better question.

What kind of fan doesnt care whether his team loses or wins as long as he blows a few kisses and deposits a few hearts to show his (feigned?) love?

 

[Hitman]

Better question.

What kind of fan doesnt care whether his team loses or wins as long as he blows a few kisses and deposits a few hearts to show his (feigned?) love?

He was prancing up and down pre tournament how it was going to be Babar Azam and Pakistan's World Cup, remember?

 

[Swashbuckler]

Pakistan needs to dump Shadab, Nawaz and Usama first and foremost, permanently. Somehow get that Abrar guy in the squad and make Ifti bowl his quota. Their spin bowling has been a disgrace throughout the Asia Cup and here, they don't qualify as club level bowlers because forget spin, they can't land the ball in good length area outside off twice in a row. Have never seen spinners with such poor control, not even part timers. No matter how much spin a pitch offers, with the lengths Shadab and Usama bowl they can never make use of the purchase.

Maharaj and Shamsi outclass Shadab/Nawaz/Usama by a mile, and game's in Chennai. So need to fix that first. Had Pakistani spinners bowled to Pakistani batsmen yesterday night instead of Afghan quartet, Pak would have scored 350 plus without breaking a sweat.

 

[Dantheone]

This the weakest PCT since a long time. Not much to offer from bench as well. They might win on a rare day though.

Mental weakness is so evident. Captain being the most selfish and timid player doesn't help.