South Africa vs Pakistan | 1st ODI | 19 Jan, 2019 | Port Elizabeth | Pre-Match Discussion

[Pete Rose]

De Kock and Steyn have been rested for the first 2 ODIs.

If Olivier plays I assume he will be bowling the middle overs to... Malik and Hafeez. Good times!

 

[Hasan123]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] South Africa resting De Kock to try out a new keeper as back up for WC.

Pakistan play Sarfraz vs Zimbabwe B. And will carry him to the WC with no back up more than likely.

 

[Hasan123]

If Olivier plays I assume he will be bowling the middle overs to... Malik and Hafeez. Good times!

Won't be enough to end their WC hopes unfortunately.

 

[rhony]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] South Africa resting De Kock to try out a new keeper as back up for WC.

Pakistan play Sarfraz vs Zimbabwe B. And will carry him to the WC with no back up more than likely.

Klaasen was the keeper in the India series as well. He's not new

 

[Hasan123]

Klaasen was the keeper in the India series as well. He's not new

He doesn't have loads of experience. They are giving him game time just in case De Kock gets injured at the WC.

Whilst Pakistan are expecting a 31 year old with awful fitness to play 10 games in 40 days with no back up.

Me and MMHS have been calling for at least a back up for Sarfraz for months.

 

[The Viper]

Tough choice between Imad and Faheem. Faheem bowled well in the test game but Imad did trouble SA in the Champions trophy.

 

[rhony]

He doesn't have loads of experience. They are giving him game time just in case De Kock gets injured at the WC.

Whilst Pakistan are expecting a 31 year old with awful fitness to play 10 games in 40 days with no back up.

Me and MMHS have been calling for at least a back up for Sarfraz for months.

Thought Rizwan is in the team as a backup keeper.

 

[TeamPak95]

My XI:
Shan
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan (if not, then Talat)
Malik
Sarfraz
Faheem
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
Shaheen

Probable XI:
Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz
Faheem
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
Shaheen

 

[Chokli]

Tough choice between Imad and Faheem. Faheem bowled well in the test game but Imad did trouble SA in the Champions trophy.

you don't need shadab

1.Fakhar Zaman
2.Shan Masood
3.Babar Azam
4.Shoaib Malik
5.Sarfraz Ahmed
6.Mohammad Hafeez
7.Imad Wasim
8.Faheem Ashraf
9.Hasan Ali
10.Mohammad Amir
11.Shaheen Afridi

 

[Chokli]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] South Africa resting De Kock to try out a new keeper as back up for WC.

Pakistan play Sarfraz vs Zimbabwe B. And will carry him to the WC with no back up more than likely.

More like Zimbabwe C and still couldn't score 400

 

[Hasan123]

Thought Rizwan is in the team as a backup keeper.

He’s only been in the squad in the last few months when the pressure has been on Sarfraz. Inzi isn’t selecting him with the intention of developing a back up keeper.

 

[Abdullah]

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]
Any news from the camp about whom will open with fakhar? Any insights?

 

[SARJ_BD]

Sarfraz at 5 while Hafeez at 6? How is Sarfraz a better batsman than Hafeez
In fact calling Sarfraz a batsman is itself a disgrace

you don't need shadab

1.Fakhar Zaman
2.Shan Masood
3.Babar Azam
4.Shoaib Malik
5.Sarfraz Ahmed
6.Mohammad Hafeez
7.Imad Wasim
8.Faheem Ashraf
9.Hasan Ali
10.Mohammad Amir
11.Shaheen Afridi

 

[Omer2002]

In my opinion two sensible decisions have to be made...Only one off Shoaib or Hafeez should play and only one off Imad or Shadab should

 

[Chokli]

Sarfraz at 5 while Hafeez at 6? How is Sarfraz a better batsman than Hafeez
In fact calling Sarfraz a batsman is itself a disgrace

hafeez can be a great finisher, he's one helluva hitter

 

[fluke]

whoever you will play they will get smashes better don't think about winning just try and get a better combination for world cup that's what I can say

 

[rhony]

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]
Any news from the camp about whom will open with fakhar? Any insights?

I think Imam just scored enough to secure an opener spot with Fakhar. Shan will bat at No.4. They will not move Babar from 3. They are looking at Shan as Haris' replacement.

 

[Zeeraq]

Van der Dussen to take T20 form into ODI series

Thursday, 17 January 2019

Rassie van der Dussen wants to take his Mzansi Super League (MSL) form into the upcoming Momentum one-day international (ODI) series against Pakistan starting at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The Jozi Stars batsman was the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 469 runs at a strike-rate of 138.75.

His performance in the inaugural tournament and in his maiden T20 International series against Zimbabwe - he scored a half-century on debut - built a strong case for his selection in the Standard Bank Proteas ODI squad. The 29-year-old started his T20 journey with the bizhub Highveld Lions at South Africa’s oldest cricket stadium in 2013 and hopes to start a new chapter with the Proteas come Saturday.

“I am hoping to make my debut,” he said at St George’s Park on Thursday. “ I haven’t played an international game for South Africa, but I have played two T20’s. If that day does come, I hope I can contribute towards a winning cause, that is the most important thing. I also want to feed off the experienced guys, for me it’s a massive honour and privilege to be here. If I can learn and improve a bit that will be the main goal.

“This field is one of the best in the country,” he said in praise. “The outfield and the wicket always have a nice pace to them. It is a ground that has good memories for me, I made my T20 debut here a few years ago. I am quite excited.”

The Proteas gathered in Port Elizabeth on Thursday fresh off a 3-0 clean-sweep in the Test series against the visitors, and are aiming to take the winning confidence into the five-match series. Van der Dussen says both teams will be starting the series with a clean slate.

“The Test team has done brilliantly,” he said proudly. “To win 3-0 at home against a formidable Pakistan side is great. We are hoping to take that momentum into the one-day competition. We have one or two new faces including myself, we are trying to feed off that momentum from the Test players.

“It’s important to go back to square one,” he said of the transition between formats. “The Pakistan team will also see it as a new opportunity for them to start afresh and make an impact on the series. It’s the same for us, it’s a new format and two new teams. Momentum counts for something but from our side we know we will have to be at our best to beat a strong side.”

 

[Pete Rose]

hafeez can be a great finisher, he's one helluva hitter

While I have low hopes for both, please don’t make sweeping statements about hafeez.
A true, statistically backed sweeping statement, would be, Hafeez (and Malik) are rubbish against South Africa, in South Africa.
A more measured opinion would despite no evidence to support, i ‘hope’ and ‘pray’ that hafeez will magically perform at such and such position against South Africa

 

[Chokli]

While I have low hopes for both, please don’t make sweeping statements about hafeez.
A true, statistically backed sweeping statement, would be, Hafeez (and Malik) are rubbish against South Africa, in South Africa.
A more measured opinion would despite no evidence to support, i ‘hope’ and ‘pray’ that hafeez will magically perform at such and such position against South Africa

hafeez won us a t20 game with his batting last time we toured

if his role is as a finisher, he'll come good

 

[Pete Rose]

hafeez won us a t20 game with his batting last time we toured

if his role is as a finisher, he'll come good

Hope and Pray is correct then

 

[Plumb]

hafeez won us a t20 game with his batting last time we toured

if his role is as a finisher, he'll come good

He could have won us many games if he was used down the order as a finisher..

 

[Chokli]

He could have won us many games if he was used down the order as a finisher..

i agree

 

[MMHS]

If SAF doesn't rest any players for the first 2 games, this is most likely the 2 playing XI

1. Kok - Imam/Shan
2. Hendricks/Van Dussen - Fakhar
3. Amla - Babar
4. Faf - Hafeez
5. Miller - Malik
6. Klaasen - Sarfraz
7. Pretorius - Shadab
8. Andile Phelu - Fahim
9. Rabada - Amir
10. Styen - Hasan
11. Tahir - Shaheen
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Really difficult to imagine anything better than 2-0. In fact, I'll be happy if both games are close, considering that 1st 2 games are at PE & Durban.

 

[Mobashir]

Pakistan playing XI should be (from this squad) :

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Shan Masood
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Rizwan
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk) (c)
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

 

[a_tahir]

Pakistan playing XI should be (from this squad) :

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Shan Masood
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Rizwan
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk) (c)
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

Babar Azam needs to get at least 2 centuries. He averaged 56 in 2016 in Aus and was the second highest run scorer for the ODIs just behind Warner.

He really needs to show how good he is.

 

[Mobashir]

Babar Azam needs to get at least 2 centuries. He averaged 56 in 2016 in Aus and was the second highest run scorer for the ODIs just behind Warner.

He really needs to show how good he is.

It's not about centuries, it's more about crucial runs and it often depends on the wickets you get served.
He was a little slow in Australia but it was also maybe because he had Sharjeel at the other end who was all guns firing in this series.

I hope Babar takes his time and don't attack Rabada and Oliver too much early in the innings. It was all great in the test series because he had 4 very good bowlers but in ODI's he can go after the lesser bowlers.

 

[Abdullah]

I think Imam just scored enough to secure an opener spot with Fakhar. Shan will bat at No.4. They will not move Babar from 3. They are looking at Shan as Haris' replacement.

In which case he won't play as haris didn't play when .Malik n hafeez were available

 

[a_tahir]

It's not about centuries, it's more about crucial runs and it often depends on the wickets you get served.
He was a little slow in Australia but it was also maybe because he had Sharjeel at the other end who was all guns firing in this series.

I hope Babar takes his time and don't attack Rabada and Oliver too much early in the innings. It was all great in the test series because he had 4 very good bowlers but in ODI's he can go after the lesser bowlers.

That is very true.
In the odi he made a hundred in. There were I think 14 overs left and like 150 to make, if would have been difficult but Babar just gave his wicket away which was disappointing.
Really need him to score hundreds in a winning cause.

 

[Abdullah]

Sarfaraz aNd shadab at 6 and 7 is asking for trouble. Sarfaraz needs to bat at 3 or 4 and faheem at 7 to give him hitting practice . Get him in the 40th over. Ive only ever seen him come in right at the death

 

[Abdullah]

That is very true.
In the odi he made a hundred in. There were I think 14 overs left and like 150 to make, if would have been difficult but Babar just gave his wicket away which was disappointing.
Really need him to score hundreds in a winning cause.

We can forget about chasing 360 . I can't believe Babar gets so much stick for that hundred when we were chasing 360

 

[rhony]

In which case he won't play as haris didn't play when .Malik n hafeez were available

good point. So it's Imam or Shan?

 

[Ami]

Agree with [MENTION=147429]Chokli[/MENTION] there...Hafeez should play at no 6 ...better finisher than anyone out there...

This is my team but unlikely to be selected.

Fakhar
Sarfraz
Babar
Malik
Hussain
Hafeez
Asif
Faheem/Imad
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
Afridi

Others...
Shan
Shinwari
Riz
Imam

*Sarfraz is absolutely useless any where else other than opening.
*If wkt favours spin drop one of fast bowlers for Imad.

 

[Ami]

Agree with [MENTION=147429]Chokli[/MENTION] there...Hafeez should play at no 6 ...better finisher than anyone out there...

This is my team but unlikely to be selected.

Fakhar
Sarfraz
Babar
Malik
Hussain
Hafeez
Asif
Faheem/Imad
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
Afridi

Others...
Shan
Shinwari
Riz
Imam

*Sarfraz is absolutely useless any where else other than opening.
*If wkt favours spin drop one of fast bowlers for Imad.

Asif typo, not in squad.

 

[Abdullah]

Sarfaraz aNd shadab at 6 and 7 is asking for trouble. Sarfaraz needs to bat at 3 or 4 and faheem at 7 to give him hitting practice . Get him in the 40th over. Ive only ever seen him come in right at the death

4 or 5 not 3

 

[a_tahir]

We can forget about chasing 360 . I can't believe Babar gets so much stick for that hundred when we were chasing 360

It wasn't that Pakistan didn't win. It was that Babar just threw his wicket away after scoring a 100.
He should have carried the match till the 45th over or something.
Should have really made it a contest.

 

[Chokli]

Pakistan playing XI should be (from this squad) :

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Shan Masood
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Rizwan
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk) (c)
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

shadab isn't good enough for 7

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Hoping for an epic phainty.South Africa should decimate this team of captain useless and his senior buddies.

 

[Mobashir]

shadab isn't good enough for 7

It doesn't work like this. Shadab-Faheem are good enough for 7-8. This is how I see it.

 

[Abdullah]

It doesn't work like this. Shadab-Faheem are good enough for 7-8. This is how I see it.

Shadab can't hit at all. Neither can sarfaraz, and they will most likely be batting 6 and 7.
The next 15 odis we should have had the team such that Asif and faheem bat the last 12 overs with one of the batters and Hassan right at the end .
Sarfaraz should be at 4 and shadab as the back up who can be sent in earlier than faheem/Asif if we lose wickets up front

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan need to win the 1st game - need to set the momentum in the right direction but can they do that?

 

[Junaids]

Forget about the cricket!

This is the most magical ground in the whole world.

It’s old, it’s ramshackle and it’s a kilometre from the ocean.

But the brass band is the best thing I’ve ever seen at a cricket ground. Their ethnicity is a joy after Apartheid, but to hear them blast out “Stand By Me”, the South African National Anthem” and their other tunes is a joy!

Confession: on Day 2 of the Test against Australia in early 2018 I was warned by security that if I didn’t stop heckling umpire Kumar Dharmasena I’d be thrown out! I’d come all the way from Australia to enjoy the Port Elizabeth band, and then just as AB started to dominate the Sri Lankan former-chucker-turned-Jobsworth stopped play because he didn’t want the music.

I grew up watching Pantomimes every Christmas in England. We heckle. It’s our culture!

The best heckling I was ever part of was at Cape Town in at the 2010 World Cup when I was one of 20,000 England fans who jeered and heckled Wayne Rooney and his useless mates as they drew 0-0 with Algeria.

But Port Elizabeth’s band was worth heckling for!

 

[Chokli]

It doesn't work like this. Shadab-Faheem are good enough for 7-8. This is how I see it.

and then you wonder why your batting is so weak lol

they should be batting at 8 and 9 not 7 and 8

 

[Shandarchowka]

Very excited for this series. Our ODI outfit is in a much better shape than the test one and we can actually win this. Will be tuning in for Bobby, Fakhar, Amir, Shady, and Shaheen!

 

[MenInG]

The third Momentum one-day international of the five-match series between South Africa and Pakistan will be hosted by SuperSport Park Centurion a week today, and the ground could not be in better nick for the day-night fixture.

The tourists started their official trip of South Africa at Centurion, with the Boxing Day Test. The Standard Bank Proteas prevailed, and that set them on their way to a 3-0 series triumph. While they will be looking to continue that trend in the 50-over series, they will know that Pakistan is a country that always has the element of surprise - especially in the shorter formats.

Pakistan are, of course, the current Champions Trophy holders, after a stirring performance in the UK just two years ago. There, they rebuilt after a slow start, and sparked their run to the final with a win over the Proteas at Edgbaston.

They have several, key men in their arsenal, including the free-scoring Fakhar Zaman at the top of their batting order. The left-hander made his name with a stunning Champions Trophy campaign, and South Africa will be very keen to keep him quiet.

The likes of Mohammad Amir have already shown their capabilities with ball in hand, and South African batsmen will know that Pakistan's
armoury of quicks will relish bowling on a fast track. That said, the Proteas have an enviable record at SuperSport Park, one helped no end by the number of Multiply Titans in their ranks. They will look to secure an unbeaten summer on the ground, as they build towards the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Local stars like Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and Tabraiz Shamsi are chasing World Cup spots, so there will be plenty to play for. They
can count on another bumper crowd at Centurion, with an excellent atmosphere now part and parcel of the unique stadium experience at
SuperSport Park.

CSA Media Release

 

[Gullycricket]

Just hope they play Shan as opener rather than Imam.Dont want them to lose the series to realise this

 

[YousafTheBeast]

With De Kock being rested for the first 2 games it’ll be an advantage for Pakistan as he’s not been in the best of forms in white ball cricket, averaging last year @ 32.

And his replacement, Aiden Markram averages 22 since his international debut, but, will he carry his form from the red ball into the white ball and cum hard on the Pakistani bowlers as they look to shake things up.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Why has De Kock been rested? Is he carrying some injury?

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's almost time &#55357;&#56613;&#55357;&#56613;&#55357;&#56613; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/TQ8b48Peav">pic.twitter.com/TQ8b48Peav</a></p>— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialCSA/status/1086279218646835201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

With De Kock being rested for the first 2 games it’ll be an advantage for Pakistan as he’s not been in the best of forms in white ball cricket, averaging last year @ 32.

And his replacement, Aiden Markram averages 22 since his international debut, but, will he carry his form from the red ball into the white ball and cum hard on the Pakistani bowlers as they look to shake things up.

Uff. That last line!!!

 

[BreadPakoda]

With De Kock being rested for the first 2 games it’ll be an advantage for Pakistan as he’s not been in the best of forms in white ball cricket, averaging last year @ 32.

And his replacement, Aiden Markram averages 22 since his international debut, but, will he carry his form from the red ball into the white ball and cum hard on the Pakistani bowlers as they look to shake things up.

De Kock was in very bad form in tests as well.

Averaged 11 against India at home with scores of 0, 12, 8, 8

Overall average of 21 in more than 1.5 years

Safe to say, it was Pakistan's bowlers who brought him back in form.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

De Kock was in very bad form in tests as well.

Averaged 11 against India at home with scores of 0, 12, 8, 8

Overall average of 21 in more than 1.5 years

Safe to say, it was Pakistan's bowlers who brought him back in form.

Yes, and the reason why it’s an advantage for Pakistan that an out of form player won’t be playing is because Pakistan always brings that player back into form.

 

[Khwaja78]

I've had it with the Inzi mafia and will skip this match. All the best to the team, hope they perform better than expected. Winning or losing does'nt matter.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Yes, and the reason why it’s an advantage for Pakistan that an out of form player won’t be playing is because Pakistan always brings that player back into form.

Fair enough. We made a legend of Heinrich Klaasen as well. Though he too looks like a clean hitter. I hope he will play

 

[Plumb]

Reports suggest this is the Playing XI.

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Malik
Hafeez
Hussain Talat
Sarfaraz
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Shaheen

Not playing Faheem again a mistake. I would have sit Shaheen and played Faheem

 

[ShahidDar08]

Reports suggest this is the Playing XI.

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Malik
Hafeez
Hussain Talat
Sarfaraz
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Shaheen

Not playing Faheem again a mistake. I would have sit Shaheen and played Faheem

Some how replace Imam with Shan, rest of the squad is best.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Fair enough. We made a legend of Heinrich Klaasen as well. Though he too looks like a clean hitter. I hope he will play

We should also expect D Oliveria picking up all 10 wickets on debut.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Some how replace Imam with Shan, rest of the squad is best.

You really think they’ll drop a guy whose been averaging 60 odd vs the top 4 associates?

 

[BreadPakoda]

You really think they’ll drop a guy whose been averaging 60 odd vs the top 4 associates?

Imam played tests despite looking out of sorts. He averages 63 in ODIs. Inzi will play him for sure.

 

[Khwaja78]

Imam played tests despite looking out of sorts. He averages 63 in ODIs. Inzi will play him for sure.

Inzamam is in South Africa traveling with the team so I think even a 5 year old knows whats going to happen. Arthur can't drop Imam, its a very sad situation for them as he and Sarfraz will be bashed later on if team loses. This is why I'm angry with PCB & Mani. His silence on Inzamam and his crony selections destroying the team as well as our interest.

 

[nextover666666]

I get the feeing that one of the pak openers will get a century but they will get their with a poor strike rate .....

 

[gazza619]

Forget about the rest of the squad, forget about the series win, i would pick Hussain Talat, Muhammad Rizwan and Shan Masood in the first 3 games with a view of planning for the World Cup.

 

[a_tahir]

I get the feeing that one of the pak openers will get a century but they will get their with a poor strike rate .....

If it has to be a poor strike rate then the only one will be Imam.
Fakhar will not get a century with a slow strike rate

 

[Pakpak]

I see a bad 5-0 coming up.

 

[Ahmed216]

Forget about the rest of the squad, forget about the series win, i would pick Hussain Talat, Muhammad Rizwan and Shan Masood in the first 3 games with a view of planning for the World Cup.

Yes
But we all know that wont happen