Match facts
Wednesday, November 13, 2013Start time 2000 local (1600 GMT)
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Big Picture
In the space of 10 days, Pakistan and South Africa will play four
Twenty20s, in what can be seen as the one of the longest mini-series the
format has seen to date. In reality, these are two separate contests.
The first one was planned months ago, as the dessert to South Africa's
ongoing UAE tour. The second was hastily arranged as a snack for South
African cricket supporters who will see less of India than was
originally scheduled. Together, they will script an intriguing narrative
across continents that will rigorously examine the skill of both sides
four months ahead of the World Twenty20.
For both teams this is the first of seven matches before the global
event. Pakistan will play Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, while South Africa
have three matches against Australia to fine tune.
There is still time to find combinations but they will both want to
settle on them quickly and allow players time to adjust to their roles.
For South Africa, the main decisions will be with the top order and the
seam-bowling trio, while Pakistan will look to settle on a middle order
and find an allrounder. They will be considered favourites, especially
on current form, and have the added incentive of becoming the top-ranked
team in Twenty20 cricket should they sweep the series. South Africa,
though, have all the confidence having won the ODIs.
Form guide
Pakistan WWWWW (completed games, most recent first)
South Africa LWWLW
In the spotlight
Sohaib Maqsood
had a moderate start to his international career with 26 runs from two
T20s matches against Zimbabwe but erased that from memory with the way
he began his ODI run. Back-to-back half-centuries against South Africa
showed him to be a clean hitter of the ball who is able to find good
placement. He is aggressive and unafraid to show it. If Pakistan hope to
turn around the indifferent batting performances from their one-day
showings, they will need him to come good in the shortest format.
After a lean run, not dissimilar to the one he has had in the UAE, Faf du Plessis
scored 85 in a T20 in Sri Lanka to boost his confidence. At the time he
said he really needed those runs and he needs them again. In the format
in which he captains, du Plessis will want to lead by example. He will
need to find a way to keep the scoreboard moving against a slew of
spinners who have thus far kept him quiet.
Team news
Although Mohammad Hafeez has batted lower down the order in this format,
he may choose to open to keep the same top order as Pakistan had in the
ODIs. Sohaib Maqsood has been successful at No. 3 in the fifty-over
format and may stay there. Shoaib Malik could make his return in the
middle order with Abdul Razzaq also in line for a comeback. Pakistan may
overlook him if they opt for an extra spinner in Abdur Rehman. It may
also be time to rest Mohammad Irfan, who has played every match on the
tour so far.
Pakistan: (likely) 1 Mohammad Hafeez (capt), 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3
Sohaib Maqsood 4 Umar Amin, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Umar Akmal (wk), 7 Shahid
Afridi, 8 Abdul Razzaq/Abdur Rehman 9 Sohail Tanvir, 10 Junaid
Khan/Mohammad Irfan, 11 Saeed Ajmal
South Africa are spoilt for choice at the top with Quinton de Kock
having found form, Hashim Amla back in the T20 squad and Henry Davids,
the incumbent, in good nick in domestic cricket. Amla may find himself
missing out. Dale Steyn has also made himself available for the shortest
format and will likely slot back in. That will mean South Africa may
have to choose two out of Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne
Parnell. With Imran Tahir enjoying these conditions, he will likely be
selected ahead of Aaron Phangiso.
South Africa: (likely)1 Henry Davids, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk) 3
Faf du Plessis (capt), 4 JP Duminy 5 AB de Villiers, 6 David Miller, 7
Ryan McLaren, 8 Dale Steyn 9 and 10 Morne Morkel/Lonwabo Tsotsobe/Wayne
Parnell, 11 Imran Tahir
Stats and trivia
- This is the only format in which Pakistan have dominance over South Africa. Of the eight matches the two teams have contested, Pakistan have won four and lost three with one abandoned. But, two of South Africa's three victories over Pakistan have come in the UAE, both in Abu Dhabi, on the 2010 tour
- Ahmed Shehzad is one run behind Aaron Finch in this year's Twenty20 batting charts, with 261 runs
Quotes
"They have the potential to beat us 2-0 but we also have the potential
to do that. It's going to be a fight out there. We are not going to give
an inch and I am sure they will do the same."AB de Villiers expects a tense affair as both teams go all out for victory
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent
Feeds: Firdose Moonda
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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