The first ODI between South Africa (SA) and Pakistan (PAK) is set to take place on Tuesday, December 17, at Boland Park, Paarl. South Africa, having already won the T20I series 2-0, will look to carry their momentum into the 50-over format. The hosts are fielding a strong team with key players like Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Aiden Markram. South Africa will want to fine-tune their team combinations ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy (CT 2025).
Pakistan, on the other hand, has had a mixed run in the T20Is and will look to bounce back in the ODI series. While they showed promise in the second T20I, they fell short in the middle overs. With controversies back home, the Green Shirts will hope for a strong performance from key players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Abrar Ahmed, who will be crucial in the bowling department.
Match Details:
- Match: South Africa vs Pakistan, 1st ODI
- Venue: Boland Park, Paarl
- Date & Time: Tuesday, December 17, 5:30 PM IST
- Live Broadcast & Streaming: Sports18 Network, Jio Cinema app and website
Pitch Report:
Boland Park is known for its batting-friendly pitch, with teams often opting to bat first to put up a substantial total. The average score at this venue is around 240-250, but anything close to 300 could prove to be a competitive total. South Africa has posted a mammoth 353 here before, and with no rain threat, the match should proceed uninterrupted.
Head-To-Head Record:
- Matches Played: 83
- Won by South Africa: 52
- Won by Pakistan: 30
- Tied: 00
- No Result: 01
- First Fixture: March 08, 1992
- Most Recent Fixture: October 27, 2023
Probable XIs for SA vs PAK:
South Africa (SA):
- Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (Wk), Andile Phehlukwayo, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Ottneil Baartman, Kagiso Rabada.
Pakistan (PAK):
- Mohammad Rizwan (C/Wk), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed.
Probable Top Performers:
Probable Best Batter: Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma has been in good form recently, especially during the Test series against Sri Lanka. After scoring a couple of half-centuries and a scintillating century, Bavuma will be keen to convert his recent form into a big knock in the ODI series. As captain, he will be looking to lead from the front, and his ability to anchor the innings will be crucial for South Africa.
Probable Best Bowler: Abrar Ahmed
Abrar Ahmed has been a mystery for the South African batsmen in the T20I series and will continue to be a key threat in the ODI series. The pitch at Boland Park assists spinners, and Abrar’s unorthodox spin bowling could trouble the Proteas. If he gets his rhythm going, he could be a match-winner for Pakistan.
Match Scenarios:
Scenario 1: South Africa wins the toss and opts to bat first
- Powerplay Score (PP): 55-60
- South Africa Score: 290-315
- Prediction: South Africa to win the match.
Scenario 2: Pakistan wins the toss and opts to bat first
- Powerplay Score (PP): 45-50
- Pakistan Score: 260-270
- Prediction: South Africa to win the match.
Disclaimer:
The prediction is based on the author’s analysis, understanding, and instincts. Please consider the points mentioned and make your own informed decision while predicting the outcome of the match.
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