South Africa play host to Pakistan in a four-match T20I series which gets underway on Saturday 10 April at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Pakistan retain many of the players who powered them to a 2-1 ODI series win while the Proteas have a raft of enforced changes.
South Africa vs Pakistan Saturday 10 April 2021 | The Wanderers, Johannesburg | 14:30
To Win Match
South Africa 23/20
Tie 25/1
Pakistan 72/100
South Africa
The Proteas are likely to be without skipper Temba Bavuma and in-form batsman Rassie van der Dussen due to injuries both players sustained during the ODI series.
Already stripped of Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi due to the Indian Premier League, the Proteas will be forced to field a very green team.
Wihan Lubbe could be in line to make his T20I debut after enjoying a solid run in the CSA T20 Challenge for the Warriors.
Tabraiz Shamsi represents the biggest threat in the Proteas attack and knows how to bowl on the Highveld.
Pakistan
In-form batsman Fakhar Zaman has been drafted into the T20I squad for the injured Shadab Khan, and could continue to torment the Proteas after a pair of centuries in the ODI series.
Fakhar’s presence may prevent an international return for controversial Pakistan batsman Sharjeel Khan with Babar Azam expected to open alongside one of the left-handers.
Mohammad Rizwan has been in great form and is another top-order batsman who could really hurt South Africa. He was dismissed cheaply in the last two ODIs, but the Proteas will not have forgotten his performance against them in Pakistan last month.
Usman Qadir didn’t have a huge impact on the ODI series; he is renowned for his performance in the shortest format though and was another who tormented South Africa in Pakistan.
Verdict: Pakistan 72/100
The tourists are on a roll and should put away a Proteas ‘B-Team’.
Written by James Richardson.
