South Africa v Pakistan | 1st ODI | Centurion | 2nd April, 2021 | Pre-Match Discussion

[shamaan]

With the current management in place , and the love of Misbah for seniors i believe they will field the following 11 which will get hammered.. This could be one of the worst possible 11 that can be selected which i expect them to do because they will not take the ground stats or pitch or anything that matters. All they need is familiar faces to challenge the opposition.

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Sarfraz
Asif Ali
Nawaz
Shadab Khan
Faheem
Hasan Ali
Shaheen

That team seems like they can chase 280 max unless fakhar fires and we will loose.

 

[MenInG]

Faheem Ashraf speaking to PCB:

“The facilities here are really good - From the last three days, we’ve been practising really hard in all three departments to adjust to the conditions"

"My personal goal will be to continue the good form that I am and keep producing the kind of performances which will help the team"

“It doesn’t matter on which number I am batting or in which order I am being asked to bowl. My focus will be to give my 100 per cent for the team”

“As we know that away series is always a difficult one - so, our main objective is to play good cricket and finish the series on a positive note"

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

Faheem Ashraf speaking to PCB:

“The facilities here are really good - From the last three days, we’ve been practising really hard in all three departments to adjust to the conditions"

"My personal goal will be to continue the good form that I am and keep producing the kind of performances which will help the team"

“It doesn’t matter on which number I am batting or in which order I am being asked to bowl. My focus will be to give my 100 per cent for the team”

“As we know that away series is always a difficult one - so, our main objective is to play good cricket and finish the series on a positive note"

Really mediocre mindset this..last statement about away series...
Looks like they are just happy with giving some nice 50s and few glimpse of nice Bowling here and there..
Doesn't looks like a mindset of someone who is there to dominate and winning mentality .

 

[UzmanBeast]

No team is the clear favourite, and Pakistan can't be favourites even if we're playing against Hong Kong or any other team. We tend to bottle every easy encounter, and SAF isn't as easy as some people are claiming.

If our batting does well, and our players can show comfort against short-pitched bowling, then we will stand a chance.

An ODI team like India does so well in foreign conditions because they capitalize on short-pitched bowling, and also have incredible firepower. Pakistan has no firepower, so the least they can do is convert short-pitched bowling into singles and boundaries.

Our bowling attack will need to gel together, as the only way we can realistically win is if we bowl out SAF consistently.

 

[Maher96]

Looks like a batting heavy team. Rizwan and Sarfraz in the same team let’s see what the batting order is for then. Rizwan most likely will come at 4. Haider at 6 in one day is a good idea as Shadab and Faheem are to come is good enough.

1 Fakhar
2 Imam
3 Babar
4 Rizwan
5 Sarfraz
6 Haider Ali
7 Faheem
8 Shadab
9 Hassan
10 Shaheen
11 Hasnain/ Haris

Batting is all way down to Hassan at 9

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Really mediocre mindset this..last statement about away series...
Looks like they are just happy with giving some nice 50s and few glimpse of nice Bowling here and there..
Doesn't looks like a mindset of someone who is there to dominate and winning mentality .

What can u expect from a team under Misbah. Avg output in every department, inconsistent performance and get away with that because it is Misbah

 

[Omer2002]

Saffers are favourites i dont see anything apart from 3 0 to saffers!..most of their team leaving after first two matches so maybe thats the only chance i would say. Didnt Pak recently lose to Zimbabwe at home?

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Just hope Misbah has changed his mindset and brings a more modern plan than just trying to score 240s if batting first and then trying to defend.

We should aim for mammoth totals of 340+ and be equally comfortable chasing 300+ if the pitches are decent.

Misbah never changes, he wishes to change but he won’t because his defensive mindset will stop him to change.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Talk about fixing what ain't broken, to suddenly the specialist captain have become better keeper than Rizwan and better prospect than Haider or someone like Rohail, even if they have to play him than do it as batter at 4 or 5, why would you take away gloves form one of the best keepers in world cricket. Than we wonder what self destruction is.

Misbah hesitant and defensive mindset will always cause such issues.

He will rest all the youngsters to play all the seniors

I foresee the bench players will be Shafique, haider, danish, Hasnain, rauf

 

[Rayyman]

This should be the playing XI:

1. Imam ul-Haq
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam*
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Mohammad Rizwan+
6. Mohammad Nawaz
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hasan Ali
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mohammad Hasnain

 

[Nasty Naz]

Media reports saying that Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to play in the three-match one-day international (ODI) series against South Africa starting April 2 as Keeper, with Mohammad Rizwan playing as a batsman.

I see Misbah is doing everything in his power to be canned as quickly as possible.

But hey we had some good knocks in PSL so he is bound to do amazingly well. I presume that's the line of thinking for the PCB think tank.

 

[Bilal7]

The interesting thing will be that everyone in Pakistan's probable top 5 has played as a regular opener at some point:

Imam, Fakhar (regular OD openers)
Babar, Rizwan (regular T20 openers)
Haider (regular opener at U19 level)

This means that a collapse against pace is unlikely. However, I hope they have all improved their game against spin.

 

[Bilal7]

Looks like a batting heavy team. Rizwan and Sarfraz in the same team let’s see what the batting order is for then. Rizwan most likely will come at 4. Haider at 6 in one day is a good idea as Shadab and Faheem are to come is good enough.

1 Fakhar
2 Imam
3 Babar
4 Rizwan
5 Sarfraz
6 Haider Ali
7 Faheem
8 Shadab
9 Hassan
10 Shaheen
11 Hasnain/ Haris

Batting is all way down to Hassan at 9

Definitely need six bowling options. If Sarfaraz has to play, they should play Nawaz over Haider. Shadab is a good enough player to bat at #6, if needed. Faheem and Nawaz can bat.

 

[indianpanacea]

Imam
Rizwan
Babar
Haider Ali
Nawaz
Asif Ali
Faheem
M.wasim jnr.
Afridi
Haris
Spinner leg

 

[Firebat]

My preferred team for tomorrow:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
5. Haider Ali
6. Danish Aziz
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mohammad Hasnain

4 seamers and a spinner is ideal in SA I think, with Danish as a 6th option. Batting till 8/9.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

My preferred team for tomorrow:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
5. Haider Ali
6. Danish Aziz
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mohammad Hasnain

4 seamers and a spinner is ideal in SA I think, with Danish as a 6th option. Batting till 8/9.

Good team, will definitely post challenge to the opposition.
Yes going with four pacers should be ideal. Would like to see Wasim jr also get a debut in place of Shadab khan.

But What Misbah will select is the following, (no debut for anyone), and they will be hammered losing by a 100 run margin or by 7 wickets or atleast the match will last only 60-80 overs max,

Fakhar, Imam, Babar, Rizwan, Sarfraz, Asif Ali, Nawaz, Shadab, Hasan ali, Haris rauf, Shaheen.

 

[Omer2002]

What time does the match start is it a daynighter. Some are saying 9am uk time some 12 uk time?

 

[mumtaz]

My preferred team for tomorrow:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
5. Haider Ali
6. Danish Aziz
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mohammad Hasnain

4 seamers and a spinner is ideal in SA I think, with Danish as a 6th option. Batting till 8/9.

I would prefer this team too although it seems like Sarfaraz will play instead of Danish Aziz which is alright as SA is a tough place to debut especially Jo'burg and Centurion with the pace and bounce. I just hope they don't play Haris Rauf in place of Hasnain.

 

[ads101]

1. Imam
2. Rizwan
3. Babar
4. Fakhar
5. Haider Ali
6. Danish
7. Fahim
8. Shadab
9. Hasan
10. Shaheen
11. Hasnain

I don't think any of Danish, Asif Ali or Abdullah make a strong case for a spot, but we have to pick one of them. Sarfraz probably deserves a shot above all of them batsmen alone if we're going on recent domestic performances, particularly PSL. Though I think it'd just be a waste to go with Sarfraz, I don't see him becoming a specialist batsman for us, better to just give the spot to a youngster and hope he improves.

Shadab doesn't really deserve his place, his bowling has been poor in recently internationals and PSL and (hasn't done much with the bat either). I just don't see Nawaz coming in and excelling either. Tbh don't mind who plays between them.

 

[Attiq_Lone]

In what world are Pakistan favourites? You need pace and bounce to win in SA. Shaheen is ok, Hasan seems to have found some rhythm but they're not a patch on Rabada and co in these conditions. Shaheen is the shortest tall bowler in the world and Hasan is just short.

Add to that Pakistan having a naff batting line up at the best of times and they'll be playing on pitches where they've historically really struggled. Babar is literally our only hope.

I'm pretty certain that the first two ODI's will be easy for SA and they're the favourites.

Shaheen is 1.97m he is even taller than Starc. Shaheen has probably been one of the better bowlers in world cricket since 2019, Hassan if keeps bowling the way he is, he will have a lot of fun on those South African pitches. Our top order is statistically one of the bests in the world: Fakhar, Imam, Babar, Rizwan.

On paper Pakistan looks a much better ODI side as compared to SA. SA are a mediocre ODI side, and Pakistan should not bottle this!

In my opinion the following XI would do:
Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Rizwan
Haider
Danish
Shadab
Faheem
Hassan
Shaheen
Hasnain

You can make one two changes, maybe play nawaz and Usman in the XI, but this team looks much stronger than SA

 

[Attiq_Lone]

In which world a team changes its performing keeper and ask him to play as a specialist batsman, accomodate someone like Sarfraz who can't field and is an average keeper, who has been putting pressure on the PCB through the corrupt mafia that pakistani media is. Only Misbah can do such defensive things!

 

[OMB]

5 bowlers should be on with atleast two spinners. Can't reply on Pak TO and MO to put up a huge score batting first. Bowling should be strong to defend even 240-ish score.

 

[shamaan]

Pakistan, over the last 15 - 20 years have always gone with '3 pacers - 3 spinners' combo and, in the absence of Hafeez, will struggle by not selecting a spinning 6th bowler option in either Haris Sohail or Iftikhar Ahmed.

Is there anyone in the squad who can bowl a few part time overs aka Hafeez and bat too, either at no 5 or 6?

MY LEFT SIDE CHOICE WOULD BE SHADAB KHAN.

Workable Eleven:

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Haider
SHADAB
Faheem
Nawaz
Hasan
Qadir
Afridi

Danish aziz can bowl part time spin and can bat at 5

 

[shamaan]

My preferred team for tomorrow:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
5. Haider Ali
6. Danish Aziz
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mohammad Hasnain

4 seamers and a spinner is ideal in SA I think, with Danish as a 6th option. Batting till 8/9.

Thats the line up i would go with defonitely

 

[shahidafridi123]

What time does the match start is it a daynighter. Some are saying 9am uk time some 12 uk time?

Every website showing different timings. Can anyone confirm?

 

[shamaan]

Every website showing different timings. Can anyone confirm?

9oclock uk time according to skysports and bbc cricket

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan and South Africa are set to clash in a three-match ODI series starting 2nd April 2021. The first game of the series will be held at SuperSport Park, Centurion. The teams will later play a four-match T20 series. The newly appointed captain Temba Bavuma will be leading the Proteas side in this series. The last international series of these two teams was against each other only, where Pakistan registered a victory both in T20I and Test series at home.

Let’s look at important stats and numbers before the start of the SA vs PAK ODI series:
Head to Head record

79 – Both teams have played 79 ODI so far, of which 50 have been won by South Africa while Pakistan has won just 28 games.

34 – South Africa have won 21 games against Pakistan among 34 ODIs played at home.

South Africa’s great record at home

12 – In the last 12 ODIs at home, the Proteas team has lost just 1 game and won 10 matches during that phase.

Pakistan’s incredible form in ODIs

8 – In the last 9 ODIs, Pakistan have won 8 while 1 match against Zimbabwe was a tie which they lost in super over. Their last outright loss came against India in World Cup 2019.

Babar’s chance to break Amla’s record

13 – Babar Azam has so far scored 3580 runs in 75 ODI innings which includes 12 centuries and 16 half-centuries. If he scores 1 more century in this series, he will become the fastest to complete 13 ODI tons. Currently, Hashim Amla is at the top spot in this list who hit his 13th hundred in 83 innings, followed by Virat Kohli (86) and Quinton de Kock (86).

Upcoming milestone for Imam-ul-Haq

166 – Imam-ul-Haq has accumulated 1834 runs in 40 ODI innings. If he scores 166 runs in this series, he will become the second-fastest player to complete 2000 ODI runs after Hashim Amla (40 innings).

Afridi’s eyes on 50th wicket

50 – Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has picked up 45 wickets in 22 ODI matches so far. He needs to take 5 wickets in the first ODI to become the quickest bowler to complete 50 ODI wickets for Pakistan. Currently, this record is held by Hasan Ali (24 ODIs) for Pakistan, and by Ajantha Mendis (19 ODIs) in the overall record.

A unique feat for Bavuma

6 – Temba Bavuma will be leading the Proteas team in this series. He will be the 16th ODI captain of the South African team. However, he has played just 6 ODIs so far in which he has scored 335 runs at an average of 55.83. Apart from Clive Rice, who was the Proteas captain for their first-ever ODI, only Aiden Markram ( 2 ODIs) played fewer games in the format before captaining the South African side.

Miller nearing 100 sixes

100 – David Miller has played 132 ODIs so far in which he has aggregated 3231 runs including 88 sixes. He needs to hit 12 sixes in this series to become the fourth Proteas player to complete 100 ODI sixes.

https://www.crictracker.com/sa-vs-p...-shaheens-upcoming-milestones-and-more-stats/

 

[Gullycricket]

The realisation is now dawning upon people that SA is now a mid table team like us and actually behind. We should aim for a whitewash and sending them scarred into IPL. Expect weird dismissals from De Lock atleast since he seems so disinterested these days.

 

[ChTab]

The realisation is now dawning upon people that SA is now a mid table team like us and actually behind. We should aim for a whitewash and sending them scarred into IPL. Expect weird dismissals from De Lock atleast since he seems so disinterested these days.

How can you expect Pakistan to whitewash SA away when Pak lost 1 game vs Zimbabwe at home.

 

[ChTab]

Every website showing different timings. Can anyone confirm?

1 pm Pakistan Time.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

They can't be serious about playing Asif Ali. That is literally like wasting a wicket.

Playing an extra bowler would be better than playing Asif Ali because they both are going to give you the same with the bat. With the bowler you might atleast get some overs.

The fact that he is in any squad (let alone the ODI squad) is absolutely ridiculous. He is not capable of playing any format besides T10.

 

[Mamoon]

De Kock could hurt Pakistan in this series. He is no longer burdened by captaincy and will be very eager to get some runs under his belt before IPL.

 

[Mamoon]

As long as Rauf and Shadab fail I don’t care who scores runs and who takes wickets, or even who wins the match.

Not interested in this series at all. I won’t be able to watch it anyway.

 

[OMB]

The realisation is now dawning upon people that SA is now a mid table team like us and actually behind. We should aim for a whitewash and sending them scarred into IPL. Expect weird dismissals from De Lock atleast since he seems so disinterested these days.

surely you mean it different. SA in IPL?

 

[OMB]

Pakistan won the toss and bowl
Hand Danish debut cap