South Africa and Pakistan meet in the first of three T20’s in Durban on Tuesday and we take a look at the match from a betting angle.
It seems bizarre that the day after a 5 match Test Series has ended a country can be involved in a T20 International, but that is exactly the case as South Africa only wrapped up the 2 match Test Series against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha on Monday and 24 hours later they face Pakistan in a 20 over game in Durban.
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SOUTH AFRICA
Heinrich Klaasen will captain the South African side in the absence of Aiden Markram who was involved in the Test Series against Sri Lanka. Other absentees include Jansen, Maharaj, Rabada and Stubbs, but Nortje and Shamsi are welcomed back into the mix.
South Africa T20I squad for Pakistan series
Heinrich Klaasen (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke*, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka*, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton*, Tabraiz Shamsi**, Andile Simelane, Rassie van der Dussen
*Matthew Breetzke, Kwena Maphaka and Ryan Rickelton will join the squad after the test series **Tabraiz Shamsi is playing in Guyana and may miss the 1st T20
South Africa finished runners-up in the T20 World Cup back in June when they lost to India by 7 runs in the final. Since then they have played 10 T20 Internationals, winning 2 and losing 8 and their most recent series was in early November when they went down 3-1 to India at home. This included a T20 in Durban which India won comfortably by 61 runs.
PAKISTAN
Since the World Cup Pakistan have played 6 T20 matches, losing 4 and winning 2. They lost their 3 match series in Australia 3-0 in early November and in early December played against Zimbabwe, winning the series 2-1.
Pakistan T20I squad for South Africa series
Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk)
Head-to-Head
These sides last met in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia where Pakistan won by 33 runs on the Duckworth Lewis method. In 2001 the sides played a 4 match series in South Africa with Pakistan winning 3-1.
BETTING – Click here to bet
South Africa 4/7
Pakistan 29/20
VERDICT
The betting for this game looks about right, but I wouldn’t be backing South Africa with any confidence given their recent T20 record and some of the players that are missing.
I am going to stick to some of the other markets on offer.
Pakistan Top Bowler, Haris Rauf at 41/20
Rauf is a bowler I have been immensely impressed with and he is a player that thrives on the big stage. I am expecting him to be suited by Durban conditions and I think he can trouble the South African batsmen.
Player to hit the most sixes, David Miller at 6/1
Klaasen is a worthy favourite in this market at 5/2, but I am expecting Miller who has been a bit quiet of late to come good soon.
Remember there will be in-running betting on the match with plenty of options available should you not wish to get involved up front.
Click here for betting on all of the International Cricket Matches taking place this week.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
