Preview 5th ODI: Pakistan vs South Africa at Benoni on March 24. The match starts at 1.00pm Pst and 100.am local time.
The Scenario
The 5-match ODI series at 2-2. Final match of the series will be
played in Benoni on March 24. Pakistan have never win an ODI series
against South Africa. Both the teams have played 4 ODI series so far
with South Africa winning all. pakistan will be looking to create
history by winning the their first ever ODi series against South Africa.
Younas Khan, One of the best Pakistan player in the current era, is not
in form for a long time in ODIs. It's a big concern for Pakistan that
their main player is not in form.
If Misbah give Asad Shafiq or
Umar Akmal a chane instead of Younas Khan then it will be a brave and
good decision and also will be in favour of Pakistan. Younas is a great
player and there is no doubt about that but his form is big concern for
Pakistan. Normally teams do not change their winning side but bringing
Asad or Umar instead of out of form Younas then it will be a good
decision.
Pakistan have bright chances to win the series
whereas South Africa is favourite to win the series. The positive thing
for Pakistan is that bowled superbly in this series and there is no
doubt that he played an important role as Pakistan leveled the series.
Muhammad Irfan has taken 9 wickets in 3 matches in this series so far.
The only problem Irfan has is that he feels little uncomfortable while
bowling 10 overs. Irfan has only once bowled 10 overs and that was
against India in last series.
Players To Focus
Shahid
Afridi hit form with the bat as he is 2nd leading run-scorer for Pakistan in
this series. Shahid Afridi batted in 3 matches and score 126 runs
including one quick-fire 88 runs in the 3rd ODI at Durban. The problem
is now shifted to Afridi's batting towards his bowling. His performance
in the bowling is really below par from last 6 months specailly on this
tour. Shahid Afridi hasn't take any wicket in his last 50 overs. Afridi
said "The rules of two new balls in an innings & not having more
than 4 fielders outside the 30-meter circle made life difficult".
Colin Ingram after scoring century in the opening game of the tour
failed badly to score runs. He plays at very crucial postion which is
one down. He will be looking to score runs and gain his form. Colin
Ingram has scored 122 runs in this series including a century in the
opening match. Colin Ingram has two ODi centuries to of which come
against Pakistan.
Irfan vs Ingram
Colin Ingram afte
scoring century in the opening game was looking a real threwat for
Pakistan. Muhammad Irfan hadn't played the first ODI at Bloemfontein.
Irfan has taken the wicket of Ingram 3 times in this series. two times
Irfan has taken Ingram's wicket on his first ball that he played. The
ball on which Irfan had taken Ingram's wicket in 4th ODI was just
remarkable. It was a excellent yorker. It is same as Hafeez is
struggling against Steyn and now Ingram struggling against Irfan. So it
will be a good contest between these two lets see who wins this time!
Conditions
The pitch of the Benoni is likely to be a batting paradise wicket. The
nature of the pitch is not fully known. The recent mathes at the Benoni
were one-sided games. Pakistan have played only one match at this venue
which they lost by 115 runs against Sri Lanka in 1998.
Team Changes
Both the teams are aiming to win the series therefore there won't be
many changes. Graem Smith will miss the decider due to ankle injury.
Pakistan is likely to not change their winning side but there are some
little chance that Asad or Umar may be included in the final line-up.
Stats and Trivia
No Asian team has ever won an ODI series in South Africa.
South Africa have played 7 ODi matches at Benoni and they have won six mathes.
Younas Khan needs 156 runs to become the highest run-getter for Pakistan against South Africa in ODIs.
Preview by Waqar Asghar
Posted in: Pakistan, South Africa
0 comments:
Post a Comment