"PAKISTAN vs SOUTH AFRICA" 23 JUNE 2019

Only Afganistan is lower than both both these teams in the points table and that is something to be ashamed of for the both these proud cricket nations. It must be hurting them pretty badly. The positive for them is that both the teams aren't out of the  same  tournament yet but it will take nothing less than a miracle for them to come out of this creater that they find themselves in. South Africa are no longer in control of there destiny but if Pakistan get their act in order and win all their remaining matches then they will end up with 11 points which should be enough for them to qualify for semis. So, they still have hope but more importantly, they should have belief in their ability. Can they rise to the occasion?
We shall see....

when: South Africa vs Pakistan, CWC19, June 23, 10:30Local, 15:00 IST

Where: Lord's, London

What to expect: A bright and sunny day in London with a high of 26 degrees Celsius. ODI pitches at Lord's can go either way. Take the last two played here. Once had England bowled out for 153 by a kagiso Rabada  brust, the other had them score 322 despite Kuldeep Yadav finding purchase. This pitch resembles the former, with a generous tinge of green that is bound to keep both fragile batting line-ups on their toes.

TEAM NEWS:

PAKISTAN

pakistan have a tendency to overreact to defeats against India , but even otherwise, this side is ripe for a re-jig. Shoaib Malik, with score of 8, 0 and 0 in the tournament so far , is likely to be moved on. Haris Sohai is likely to be reintegrated into the line-up. Meanwhile, Hasan Ali has been a shadow of his former self, having taken his two wickets at an average of 128 and an economy of 7.76. Young Mohammad Hasnain waits in the wings.

Probable XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c&wk), Imad Wasim, Asif Ali, Wahaz Riaz, Shadab Khan , Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hasnain.

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa do not have much in the name of bench strength to bring on and significantly improve their playing XI. Andile Phehlukwayo had an off day with the ball against New Zealand but has otherwise been one of the few shining lights of a  forgettable compaign so far. A game for Dwaine Pretorius therefore looks unlikely. South Africa could field the same XI.

Probable XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.

DID YOU KNOW?

- Pakistan hold a 5-1 advantage over South Africa in ICC tournament since 2009.

- South Africa have lost weight wickets in the Power play - the most - and also have the worst Power play run rate (3.88) in the tournament so far.

- Imran Tahir ( 37 wickets from 19 games) needs two more wickets to surpass Allan Donald ( 38 wickets from 25 games) as the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in World Cups.