Pakistan and South Africa are set to clash on October 27, 2023, at the Chepauk Stadium.
In previous encounters, South Africa has held the upper hand, with three victories out of five meetings.
This historical advantage adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming match, setting the stage for an intense contest where past records might not necessarily dictate the future.
For Pakistan, this contest is more than just another match; it’s a must-win situation. A defeat could significantly impact their chances of progressing further in the tournament.
With their backs against the wall, Pakistan’s players will be extra motivated to put on a show and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Check details on the PAK vs SA ODI World Cup match, probable best playing XI, top run-scorers, leading wicket-takers, and the players who are expected to shine.
PAK vs SA ODI World Cup 2023: Best Playing XI Predictions
Pakistan’s Playing XI:
- Imam-Ul-Haq
- Abdullah Shafique
- Babar Azam (c)
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Saud Shakeel
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Shadab Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Shaheen Afridi
- Hasan Ali
- Haris Rauf
South Africa’s Playing XI:
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Temba Bavuma (c)
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Aiden Markram
- Heinrich Klaasen
- David Miller
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Gerald Coetzee
- Kagiso Rabada
- Tabraiz Shamsi
PAK vs SA ODI World Cup 2023: Predicted Top Run-Scorers
For Pakistan: Babar Azam
Despite a challenging start in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Azam showcased his class and resilience in a previous encounter against Afghanistan, scoring a crucial 74 off 92 balls. What makes him an integral figure in this contest is his impressive record against South Africa.
Babar Azam has accumulated 523 runs against the Proteas at an average of 65.4 and a strike rate of 89.6. This remarkable record underscores his ability to consistently perform against South Africa.
As Pakistan faces South Africa on the Chepauk pitch, Babar’s role becomes even more important. His ability to build substantial innings and lead his team to significant totals could be the key to Pakistan’s success in this encounter.
For South Africa: Quinton de Kock
On the South African side, all eyes will be on Quinton de Kock, the wicket-keeper batsman. After two consecutive underwhelming performances, De Kock made a scintillating comeback in the most explosive manner possible.
In the match against Bangladesh, he scored 174 runs from just 140 balls, marking his third century in this World Cup. With an impressive tally of 407 runs in just five matches, De Kock is now the highest run-scorer of ICC World Cup 2023.
PAK vs SA ODI World Cup 2023: Predicted Leading Wicket-Takers
For Pakistan: Shaheen Afridi
In terms of the bowling department, left-arm spinner Shaheen Afridi is leading the bowling charts in the competition with 10 scalps to his name at a decent average of 25.10. Afridi’s ability to swing the ball both ways and trouble batsmen consistently places him in a pivotal role for Pakistan. His knack for picking up wickets at crucial junctures can disrupt the opposition’s rhythm.
For South Africa: Gerald Coetzee
For South Africa, the emerging star Gerald Coetzee is undoubtedly the X-factor in their bowling department. His blend of pace, accuracy, and the ability to make crucial contributions has been a revelation in this World Cup.
Coetzee has showcased his immense talent, taking 10 wickets in just four matches at an impressive average of 22.2. He has the ability to strike at regular intervals and maintain control over the opposition’s batting line-up.
As South Africa prepares to face Pakistan in the upcoming match, Coetzee’s role becomes even more crucial. With his potential to rip apart the Pakistani batting lineup, he can be a game-changer in this high-stakes encounter.
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