Pakistan and South Africa stand little chance of making the semi-finals both sides targeted as a minimum standard for success at the Cricket World Cup.
The Asian side have offered a real mixed bag of performances beating England but suffering defeat to the West Indies and Australia. The Proteas, on the other hand, have been tepid throughout registering their only win against an Afghanistan side rooted to the bottom of the table.
Cricket World Cup | Sunday 23 June 2019 | Lord’s, London | 11:30
To Win
Pakistan
Tie
South Africa
Pakistan
Pakistan must win this encounter in order to keep their hopes of hauling in one of the top four sides by the end of the round-robin phase. To do so they will need to overcome a side whom they pushed all the way in a bilateral series in South Africa earlier this year.
The Proteas will be a dangerous prospect now that they effectively have no hope of making the top four, especially against a Pakistan team feeling the heat after being blown out of the water by India last time out.
Pakistan have had the week off to contemplate where they went wrong which might not be the best thing for Mickey Arthur’s charges.
Veteran Mohammad Hafeez has been particularly disappointing with bat in hand in a middle-order that has suffered from patchy form.
In the bowling department, Mohammad Amir has been a standout performer but has lacked support from fellow quicks Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz.
The weather forecast looks good for getting a game in but swing bowlers might have preferred a bit more cloud.
South Africa
The Proteas produced an improved, albeit nervous, display in the final over defeat to New Zealand. A combination of bad luck, poor judgement and sloppy fielding cost the side a shot at making it into the knockout stages.
With the pressure now off them to some extent, the batting may be the first area to show some improvement. Against New Zealand, they did not lack application and grit but looked far from World beaters on a surface that was tricky rather than impossible.
The side needs one of their to four to kick on with the highest score managed by a Proteas batsmen the twin 68s scored by Quinton de Kock against England and Afghanistan. De Kock and Rassie van der Dussen have been the most consistent of the Proteas batsman but even they have not been at their best.
The bowling has been equally inconsistent, not helped by a fielding display that is a major cause for concern. Chris Morris has been a pleasant surprise though, bowling the best he ever has in ODI cricket. Imran Tahir has been treated with respect by opposition batsmen, something he has earned by bowling well.
The Proteas haven’t executed the best game-plan with the ball and have altogether given the impression that they were under-prepared for the tournament.
Verdict: South Africa
The Proteas will win but only because Pakistan are likely to implode.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets.
