Match Details:
- Match: Pakistan vs South Africa, 3rd ODI, Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2025
- Date: February 12, 2025
- Time: 09:00 am GMT / 02:30 pm IST / 02:00 pm local time
- Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Match Overview
Pakistan will face South Africa in the 3rd ODI of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2025 at the National Stadium in Karachi. Pakistan enters this match after a tough loss to New Zealand in their first game of the series, while South Africa has already fallen to New Zealand in their opening match as well. Both teams will be eager to secure a win as they look to gain momentum ahead of the remaining fixtures.
The last time these two teams met in a series during Pakistan’s 2024 tour of South Africa, Pakistan won by 36 runs via the DLS method. South Africa’s chase was interrupted by rain, and they were unable to reach the revised target, resulting in a loss.
Recent Form
- Pakistan:
- W, W, W, W, L (Recent 5 matches)
- Pakistan is coming off a loss to New Zealand, where they were chasing a challenging total of 330/6. Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 84 runs, and Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed 3 wickets. However, they couldn’t keep up with the required run rate and fell short by 78 runs.
- South Africa:
- L, L, L, L, L (Recent 5 matches)
- South Africa also lost their opening match against New Zealand, despite putting up a solid total of 304/6. Matthew Breetzke played a brilliant knock of 150 runs, and Wiaan Mulder contributed 64 runs. However, New Zealand chased the target with Kane Williamson and Devon Conway leading the way in a successful chase with 4 wickets to spare.
Team Previews
Pakistan Preview
Pakistan has shown promise, despite their loss in the first game. The batting has been solid with key players like Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, and their bowling attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, has been competitive. They will look to bounce back in this match and get their first win in the Tri-Series.
- Key Players:
- Babar Azam (captain and top-order batter)
- Fakhar Zaman (opener)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (pace bowler)
- Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
- Pakistan Predicted XI:
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Khushdil Shah, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa Preview
South Africa has been struggling of late, with five consecutive losses in their recent outings. Their batting, spearheaded by Matthew Breetzke and Wiaan Mulder, has shown resilience, but the bowlers haven’t been able to keep the opposition’s scoring in check. They will look to improve their bowling attack and build on their strong performances with the bat.
- Key Players:
- Matthew Breetzke (top-order batter)
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- Wiaan Mulder (all-rounder)
- Senuran Muthusamy (bowler)
- South Africa Predicted XI:
Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Eathan Bosch, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
PAK vs SA Pitch Report
The National Stadium, Karachi is renowned for being a batsman-friendly venue. The flat pitch here tends to favor run-scoring, and with a fast outfield, boundaries are easier to come by. However, spinners can still find some turn, especially in the later overs of the game. Pace bowlers may struggle, but spinners could make an impact, particularly in the middle overs.
- Batting Conditions: Excellent for batsmen, with a fast outfield and good bounce.
- Bowling Conditions: Pace bowlers may find it tough, but spinners could be crucial in the middle overs.
Toss Prediction
The toss could play a pivotal role in this match. The team winning the toss might prefer to bowl first, as chasing totals has generally been more favorable at this venue. With both teams looking to gain momentum, chasing might seem like the safer option.
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
- Top Picks for Pakistan:
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Fakhar Zaman
- Shaheen Afridi
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Top Picks for South Africa:
- Matthew Breetzke
- Wiaan Mulder
- Temba Bavuma
- Senuran Muthusamy
- Captaincy Options:
- Babar Azam
- Matthew Breetzke
Head-to-Head Records (Overall)
- Total Matches: 86
- Pakistan Wins: 33
- South Africa Wins: 52
- No Result: 1
Recent Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches):
- Pakistan Wins: 4
- South Africa Wins: 1
Winning Prediction
- Pakistan has been in better form recently, with their key players like Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, and Babar Azam stepping up. South Africa, on the other hand, has struggled with consistency and will need a standout performance to turn their form around.
- Prediction: Pakistan to win this match based on current form and overall strength in all departments.