Following the Lahore leg, the ODI tri-series now shifts to Karachi for its final two matches, the first of which is going to be played between Pakistan and South Africa.
New Zealand qualified for the final after beating both sides, making tomorrow’s clash a virtual semi-final, in order to set a date with Black Caps for Friday.
Pakistan Team Preview
Mohammad Rizwan’s side were completely blown away by Glenn Phillips’ knock in the opening match, as the Pakistan bowling attack conceded 98 runs in the final six overs of the innings.
Poor bowling at the death, helped New Zealand set up a daunting total for the men in green. One of the bowlers, Haris Rauf suffered a side sprain and as a result is ruled out of the tri-series, with left arm seamer Akif Javed being named as his replacement.
However, Akif is not expected to get a spot in the playing eleven, with Mohammad Hasnain being named in the playing eleven a day prior to this match.
Another change was of Saud Shakeel, who will take the place of no.3 from Kamran Ghulam albeit quiet outings. The local boy, Saud, averages 28.82 in 12 ODI innings, having last played a game in this format in the 2023 World Cup in India.
But with Babar opening, Pakistan need a stable batter at number 3, who can tackle the new ball and also take on the spinners in the middle overs. The southpaw does possess those abilities and will be eager to prove himself.
The reigning Champions Trophy winners need their middle order of captain Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman and Tayyab Tahir to score well and Khushdil Shah in the death to provide some finishing touches.
Although, Agha and Tayyab were amongst the runs, scoring 40 and 30 each in the last match, the situation demanded more and the pair would hope to get another bat tomorrow and prove themselves.
In the pace department, Naseem Shah will have to pull his socks up before the mega event as he went wicketless for 70 runs in his full quota of overs against New Zealand.
The youngster has looked off colour but this is the best chance to get back to his old ways. On the other hand, Shaheen Shah needs to focus on his death bowling skills as the left-armer conceded 46 in the last two overs of his spell.
South Africa Team Preview
The Temba Bavuma side despite not being at their full strength, put on a good show and also breached the 300+ runs mark.
These runs came at the back of an absolute heck of an innings by Matthew Breetzke who now holds the record for the most runs by a debutant as batting.
Corbin Bosch, Tony De Zorzi, Heinrich Klassen and Kwena Maphaka being added to the squad for this series. The 18-year-old is only in the tri-series squad and will have to break the door down to have any sort of chance to be added to the Champions Trophy squad.
With Lungi Ngidi expected to be rested, Maphaka will certainly be named in the lineup.
The African side boast an underrated bunch of spinners, in Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy.
Pacers wise, Lungi Ngidi, Maphaka will be amongst the fast bowlers, along with Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder being the other two options.
Predicted line-up for Tri-Series
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Agha Salman, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (s), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Heinrich Klassen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kwena Maphaka.
