RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s cricket team is set to kick off its South Africa tour on Tuesday with the first match scheduled at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The tour includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches.
Fresh from a successful series against Zimbabwe, the Pakistan squad has arrived in Durban under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan. Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi joined the team from Pakistan, having rested during the Zimbabwe series.
Pakistan has played 11 T20 matches in South Africa, securing six wins and facing five losses. Interestingly, the team has never played a T20 match at Kingsmead.
Among the squad, Babar Azam leads the run-scoring tally with 361 runs in seven matches, including a memorable century (122) in Centurion. On the bowling front, Haris Rauf tops the current squad with three wickets, while former bowler Hasan Ali holds the overall record with eight wickets.
Team Lineup for Durban Match
Pakistan, coming off a 2-1 series win in Zimbabwe, will rely on Saeem Ayub and Babar Azam to open. Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Salman Ali Agha, and Irfan Khan will bolster the middle order.The bowling attack includes pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abbas Afridi, alongside spinners Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem, who could serve as key trump cards on the turning Durban pitch.
South Africa’s Preparations
South Africa, under the captaincy of Aiden Markram, recently faced a 3-1 defeat in a T20 series against India. Despite a disappointing campaign, the team’s journey to the T20 World Cup final earlier this year reflects its resilience.Experienced players like Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller will anchor the middle order, while Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs bring unpredictability. South Africa will likely count on their pacers, Gerald Coetzee and Sisanda Magala, to exploit the fast and bouncy conditions in Durban.
Pitch Conditions
The Kingsmead pitch traditionally favors pace and bounce, offering an edge to fast bowlers. However, spinners are expected to play a significant role as the ball tends to turn more in the second innings. Evening dew could pose challenges for bowlers.Pakistan’s Strategy
With a stronger and more experienced lineup, Pakistan aims to dominate from the first match. While South Africa remains a formidable opponent on home soil, Pakistan’s seasoned players and effective bowling unit give them a clear advantage.This series is expected to test Pakistan’s mettle and provide an exciting contest, with both teams vying for early momentum.
Reported by Syed Haider
