With the ODI series all square at 2-2, South Africa and Pakistan will battle it out at Newlands for series honours.
Pakistan’s crushing eight-wicket win over South Africa in the Pink ODI at the Wanderers has set-up a tantalising winner-takes-all fifth One Day International at Newlands on Wednesday.
Will South Africa’s top order get it right in the face of some excellent Pakistan bowling or will they suffer yet another home ODI series defeat at the hands of the Asians? Let’s take a look:
South Africa vs Pakistan | Wednesday 30 January | PPC Newlands, Cape Town | 13:00
To Win Match
South Africa 53/100
Tie 35/1
Pakistan 31/20
South Africa
We could certainly see a few surprise changes to the South African squad, despite the series being on the line. Wiaan Mulder has been called up to the squad, and you’d assume he’s a shoo-in for a starting berth, especially with just one match remaining.
Who then makes way for the Lions youngster? Much has been made about the length of the South African tail up in Johannesburg, so you’d assume someone like Beuran Hendricks will get the chop, with Mulder to add a bit more with the bat. Of course, this offsets the side’s effectiveness with the ball.
There have also been suggestions that Aiden Markram could in line for a surprising inclusion into the playing XI. Whose place he’d take is even more interesting. There have been suggestions that he could come in for either Hashim Amla or Reeza Hendricks. Amla could maybe use a bit of a rest, but I see no reason to drop Hendricks who should probably be afforded another opportunity to show what he can do.
Markram could well add a bit of solidity to the Proteas top and middle order which is very hit and miss at the moment. The Titans batsman hasn’t been able to translate Test form into the intermediate format of the game, but you feel it’s just a matter of time before he’s a regular in the 50-over side. He’s also a useful with the ball, and could contribute a bit if Beuran Hendricks gets the chop for Mulder.
Wednesday will prove to be perfect for cricket with very little wind, temperatures in the mid-twenties and zero chance of rain. It seems almost fitting that the ODI series should be decided down in Cape Town where there certainly will be a good crowd.
Pakistan
You feel that Pakistan’s top order look far more settled than their South African counterparts at the moment. Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam all average more than 50 in the format and are possibly the hottest top three on the planet at the minute. The trio made short work of South Africa’s meagre total at the Wanderers, knocking off the 165-run target inside of 32 overs.
You can’t ignore the bowlers either. The unit have been superb in South African conditions where Proteas have regularly taken foreign attacks apart. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been particularly impressive while Shadab Khan has certainly found more joy in the shorter format of the game. Khan also underlines just how important it is to have a solid wrist-spinner in your set-up, especially heading into the World Cup later this year.
The visitors have been so good that they probably won’t miss skipper, Sarfraz Ahmed who copped a four-game ban from the ICC relating to comments he made about Andile Phelukwayo in Durban. The only change I can see the visitors making for the final ODI Hasan Ali in for Mohammad Amir.
Verdict: Pakistan 21/20
The white ball threat that Pakistan pose simply can’t be ignored. They’ve been absolutely fantastic in the ODIs, with Iman-ul-Haq has been sublime with the bat while their bowling unit have regularly run through the South African top and middle order. Back them to wrap up the series on Thursday.
