South Africa vs Pakistan – 3rd T20I – Match Preview
A magnificent bowling effort from South Africa helped them beat Pakistan by 6 wickets and level the series 1-1. The batting was never a concern for the hosts as they have some match winners in their team. It was their bowlers that let them down in the series. However, all of them proved their mettle in the 2nd T20I and scripted a brilliant win. If they can deliver another such performance, South Africa will be in with a great chance. However, we still have few doubts whether or not they can replicate their performance.
Pakistan, on the other hand, would like to believe that it was just one odd bad performance. They have a very strong team and most of their players are in top form. We can expect a better show from them with the bat in the next game. The bowlers are doing pretty well and if the batsmen can put runs on the board, they’ll be bossing the game.
Pitch Report – The surface in Centurion should be very good to bat. We don’t think there will be much on offer for the pacers but the spinners might come into play in the second inning.
Team News
South Africa
Having won the last game, South Africa won’t be looking to make too many changes in the playing XI. Maybe, Kyle Verreynne can make a cut into the team in place of Wihan Lubbe.
X-Factor
Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram has made a scintillating return to form. He’s scored two fifties in the first two games and can be backed to come good in the next game as well.
Probable XI
Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen (c & wk), Pite van Biljon, George Linde, Andile Phehlukwayo, Sisanda Magala, Beuran Hendricks, Lizaad Williams, Tabraiz Shamsi
Team News
Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman missed out on the last game due to an injury. Now we don’t have any update about his fitness but we can assume that if he’s fit, he’ll be back in the playing XI
X-Factor
Mohammad Rizwan
Rizwan has been instrumental in Pakistan’s success in the last one year. The batsman has been piling on the runs in every format and against every opposition. He had a rare failure in the last game but before that, he had scored 10 consecutive fifties in the T20 format.
Probable XI
Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Sharjeel Khan/Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Hasnain