Pak vs Sa 2nd ODI: Preview, Key players, Records

The second ODI between Pakistan and South Africa is set to take place on December 19, 2024, at Newlands, Cape Town. After having defeat in the first odi, the host team will try to bounce back and level the series as to remain alive in the series winning race. On the other side, Pakistan have won the 1st match of the series at Boland Park. They are looking to win the second to secured the ODI series. South Africa will be looking to extend their dominance at home, while Pakistan will be hoping to build a momentum and consistency in the 50-over format. Pakistan’s team likely to remain unchanged while South Africa may be made some changes.

Match Overview:

Cape Town’s Newlands stadium has always been known for its fast and bouncy pitch, which is typically good for fast bowlers to early breakthrough on while providing some support for spinners later in the innings. The ground has witnessed many thrilling ODIs over the years, and fans can expect another competitive game here.

Head-to-Head Records:

When it comes to head-to-head statistics in ODI, South Africa holds a slight edge over Pakistan. Out of 84 matches between the two nations, South Africa has won 52 matches, while Pakistan has claimed 31 victories and remaining 1 was Tied (no result).

Team Preview:

South Africa:

South Africa comes into this match with a well-balanced squad that combines experience and youth. The team’s strength lies in its powerful pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Ottniel Baartman and Kwena Maphaka. Rabada’s ability to bowl in all conditions makes him a standout performer, and the bounce at Newlands could suit him perfectly. The inclusion of spinner like Tabraiz Shamsi adds variety to the attack, especially if the pitch slows down in the later stages of the inning.

South Africa’s batting unit will be included experienced Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram ( Captain), Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller are expected to provide the firepower in the middle to lower order, capable of turning the game with their explosive hitting.

Key Players:

  • Aiden Markram: The captain’s calm leadership and solid technique at the top.
  • Kagiso Rabada: South Africa’s leading pacer, crucial with the new ball.
  • David Miller: A destructive batter who can take the game away from the opposition in a matter of overs.
Pakistan:

Pakistan’s team led by the M.Rizwan, having a top-heavy batting lineup with explosive opener Saim Ayub. Babar is one of the finest ODI player in the world while M.Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Kamran Ghulam and Irfan Khan Niazi add depth to the batting order.

Pakistan’s pace bowling, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi. The Newlands’ conditions should provide an opportunity for him to exploit the bounce and swing. Alongside Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah will look to keep South Africa’s top order under pressure. Abrar Ahmed’s leg-spin will also be crucial, especially if the pitch offers turn in the latter stages.

Key Players:

  • Babar Azam: Pakistan’s most reliable batter in all formats.
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi: The left-arm pacer will be pivotal in the opening overs.
  • Salman Ali Agha: The all-rounder’s role with both bat and ball will be vital.

Weather and Pitch Conditions:

Cape Town is known for its relatively cool and windy conditions, which can assist fast bowlers, particularly in the first half of the match. The pitch at Newlands typically offers good bounce, which should suit both teams’ pacers. As the game progresses, the pitch could slow down slightly, providing spinners with some turn, though the primary focus will remain on the Pacers.

Pak vs sa first odi | PLAYING XI, VENUE

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. Their captain Temba Bavuma will not be the part of playing XI in the first ODI match. Probably he will play the rest matches of the series. Aiden Markram will be the Captain of South Africa in the first ODI. Bowling all-rounder, Andile Phehlukwayo replaced Keshav Maharaj. The first match of the series will be played at Boland Park, South Africa. The three matches ODI series will be played between Pak vs SA.

Squads:

PAKISTAN XI: 

Muhammad Rizwan (captain), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha, Kamran Ghulam, Irfan Khan Niazi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

South Africa xi:

Aiden Markram (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Ottniel Baartman, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Rain Delays Toss in Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 1st ODI; Gurbaz Ruled Out

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was ruled out of the first ODI match due to a minor injury.

The first One-Day International (ODI) between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan was off to an unexpected start, as rain started before the toss. The toss, which is usually a crucial moment in any match, was delayed due to consistent showers at the venue, leaving fans and players to wait. The 1st-ODI match was set to be played at the Harare venue. Afghanistan haswon the three matches T20 series from Zimbabwe by 2-1. Zimbabwe will look to win the ODI series as they lost the T20 series, despite winning the first match of the series.

A Wet Start to the Series

Rain delays have often been a part of cricket, and the opening game of the series was no exception. As the rain clouds hovered over the ground. Despite the heavy rain, both teams were in high spirits, eagerly waiting for the skies to clear up.

Gurbaz’s Ruled Out: A Big Blow for Afghanistan

The team received another blow when opening batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz was ruled out of the first ODI match due to a minor injury. The young star, known for his aggressive batting style and explosive performances in T20s and ODIs, was a key player for Afghanistan, and his absence would undoubtedly be a setback for the team and fans.

What to Expect Once Play Resumes

If the weather clears and the match resumes, fans can expect a thrilling match, as both teams will be eager to make an early impact in the series. The focus will be on how both teams handle the pressure of a delayed start as pitch conditions might be changed.

For Afghanistan, the absence of Gurbaz could bring a fresh challenge in their batting department, while Zimbabwe will look to grab this opportunity. With both teams having strong bowling attacks and talented middle-order batsmen, the match promises to be a closely contested one, provided the rain stops and play is able to resume.

ECB Banned Shakib Al Hassan’s Bowling action | Detail

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Shakib Al Hassan played as a Batsman until he corrects the flaws in his bowling action.

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s star all-rounder, is known for his aggressive batting and clever left-arm spin bowling. He is one of the most successful cricketer in the international arena. However, a recent decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has thrown a shadow over his career. He failed the bowling action assessment test at Loughborough University, an ICC-accredited testing centre in the UK. Earlier Shakib’s bowling action has been banned by the ECB, following concerns over its legality. 

What Happened?

ECB banned Shakib Al Hasan’s bowling action after a routine assessment during his stint in England. The ban came about after the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed stricter guidelines on bowlers whose actions were deemed suspect. The ICC’s regulations require bowlers to adhere to a certain degree of elbow flexibility — 15 degrees being the upper limit while delivering their deliveries.

Shakib, who has faced similar issues in the past regarding his action, was reportedly given a warning in previous years but had never been subjected to a full ban before. Despite the controversy surrounding his bowling action, he had been allowed to continue bowling in international cricket under supervision. The recent ban by the ECB, however, means Shakib will not be allowed to bowl in any ICC-approved competitions, both domestic and international matches until he corrects the flaws in his action.

The Impact of the Ban

Currently, he is playing in the Lanka T10 league, where he did not bowl in the last two matches for his team.

Shakib has long been regarded as one of the best all-rounders in modern-day cricket. His contributions with both bat and ball have been instrumental in many of Bangladesh’s victories, and his absence from bowling in official matches could have a huge impact on his team’s performance, especially in the limited-overs formats where his bowling is crucial.

From a personal perspective, this suspension could represent a significant blow to Shakib’s career. Although he has built a reputation for his batting but his bowling has always been a key part of his success. Shakib’s skill in controlling the middle overs, taking crucial wickets, and being a reliable spinner in pressure situations has made him indispensable for Bangladesh.

What Led to the Ban?

The ECB, in collaboration with the ICC’s designated umpires and match officials, decided to reassess his bowling action following multiple complaints and observations made during recent competitions. After a thorough review, the ECB concluded that Shakib’s action is exceeding the 15-degree tolerance limit. Leading to the imposition of a ban on his bowling activities in ICC-controlled competitions.

What’s Next for Shakib?

Shakib Al Hasan now faces the challenge of fixing his bowling action, a task that requires both time and effort. Once a bowler is banned for an illegal action, they must undergo a series of assessments and corrective procedures to get their action cleared. It is important to note that while the ECB has banned Shakib from bowling, this does not necessarily mean he is banned from international cricket. Shakib can still play in the Bangladesh national team as a batsman.

The Stricter Standards in Cricket

The banning of Shakib’s bowling action is part of a growing trend in cricket where governing bodies are taking a more strict approach toward illegal actions. The ICC’s 15-degree elbow extension rule is part of an effort to ensure fairness and consistency in the game, but it has led to several high-profile bowlers being banned or required to modify their techniques. While some players, like Shakib, have managed to bounce back after addressing their actions, others have struggled to regain their previous form.

Travis head, “A headache for INDIA” , AT GABBA

Travis Head, headache for India
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Travis Head: A ‘Headache’ for India on the Cricket Field

In international cricket, players who can turn a match on its head are often the ones who stand out. For India, one such player who has consistently caused them problems is Australia’s Travis Head. He is known for his aggressive stroke play, fearlessness, and ability to take on the best bowlers. Head has become a thorn in the side of Indian cricketers, earning a reputation as a “headache” for the Indian Cricket Team.

Travis Head’s rise in international cricket has been nothing short of impressive. A left-handed batsman, he is known for his attacking mindset and the way he takes the game away from the opposition. His ability to dominate the bowlers, particularly in the longer format, has earned him a place in the Australian team as a key opening batsman. His relentless approach to batting often leaves Indian bowlers scratching their heads.

border-gavaskar trophy

During the BGT 2024-2025, Today, the 3rd match of the series, Travis Head smashed his third century against India in his last six innings. Head has been a standout performer. On day 2 of the 3rd match of the Series, Head, and Steve Smith took the game away from India. They both registered centuries today. Head (152) and Smith (101). They build a huge partnership of 241 runs. Head’s ability to play in the subcontinent’s tricky conditions is a key to Australia’s success. His performances often frustrated Indian bowlers, who had to rethink their strategies when faced with such a dynamic batsman.

Another element that makes Head so difficult to dismiss is his aggressive nature at the crease. Unlike many modern players who like to play a waiting game, Head’s approach is to seize the initiative from the outset. He takes risks but does so in a way that puts pressure on the opposition from the very first ball. For Indian bowlers, this aggressive mindset forces them to bowl with more accuracy and often leads them to overcompensate, creating scoring opportunities for Head.

Perhaps one of the most memorable moments in Head’s career against India came during the 2021-22 series in Australia. India, coming off their historic win in 2020 in Australia, was looking to defend their title as the top Test team. Head’s aggressive knock in the second Test at the MCG was one of the defining moments of the series. His 152 off just 148 balls was a display of pure attacking cricket, and it completely shifted the momentum in Australia’s favor. His dominance on an MCG pitch was a testament to his skill and mental toughness.

One can’t forget Head’s contribution in the shorter formats of the game as well. While his Test performances against India have garnered most of the attention, his limited-overs skills have also played a vital role in Australia’s success in the 50-over and T20 formats. His ability to anchor the innings or to accelerate when needed has made him a key player in Australia’s team, and this versatility makes him a constant threat for India across all formats.

For Indian fans, Travis Head represents a challenge, but also a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. His ability to play with freedom and confidence, irrespective of the conditions, makes him a unique player in the modern game. As the rivalry between India and Australia continues to intensify, Travis Head will no doubt remain a “headache” for India for years to come.

In conclusion, Travis Head has firmly established himself as one of the premier batsmen in world cricket, and his performances against India have highlighted his exceptional skills and temperament. Whether in the form of counter-attacking knocks or gritty innings. As the rivalry between these two cricketing giants continues, it is clear that Travis Head will play an important role in shaping the outcome of many future contests.

Hendricks Powers SA to win t20 Series over Pakistan

Reeza Hendricks registered his first T20 International century in Centurion against Pakistan.

In a bright display of power-hitting, South Africa won the T20 series against Pakistan, with a brilliant performance given by Reeza Hendricks. The third wicket partnership between Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen of 157 off 83 balls take match far away from Pakistan. South Africa not only secured the series but also sent a clear message to Pakistan as they prepare for future T20 challenges.

Although Saim Ayub played a sensational inning of 98 off 57 balls faced, including five 6s and 11 4s but unfortunately missed his well-deserving century by two runs. Despite Saim’s classical inning, Pakistan lost the match. South Africa Won the Match by 3 Wickets in 19.3 overs.

Reeza Hendricks’ Masterclass

The standout feature of Hendricks’ innings was his ability to find the boundaries at will. He played an aggressive knock, striking the ball with clean precision, and often dispatched the bowlers to the boundary with ease. Hendricks gave a flying start to South Africa. His century was a well-paced knock that combined an early acceleration that included, 10 sixes and 7 fours. His aggressive strokeplay kept the scoreboard ticking and allowed South Africa to post another win over Pakistan.

Hendricks didn’t shy away from taking risks. His use of the slog sweep against Pakistan’s spinners and his ability to clear the ropes against pacers were a testament to his growing stature in T20 cricket. He scored 117 off 63 balls faced, having a strike rate of more than 180.

The Final Push

South Africa’s victory in this series wasn’t just a result of Hendricks’ brilliance. The team’s all-round performance, from the batting to the bowling, played a key role in their triumph. Their fielding was sharp, their bowling was disciplined, and the tactical acumen displayed by the management was spot on. The series victory not only boosted the morale of the team but also helped South Africa build momentum as they look ahead to future T20 tournaments.

Pakistan needs to address their batting inconsistency, if they are to challenge top teams in future series. Their middle order, in particular, will need to step up and provide the necessary support to their openers. Pakistan’s bowling line was not looking as impressive as before. They should also work on it.

CONCLUSION

As for Pakistan, they will undoubtedly take lessons from this defeat and look to bounce back stronger in the 3rd T20. With a few adjustments to their game plan, they remain a strong contender in international T20 cricket. But for now, South Africa takes the bragging rights, and Hendricks’ unforgettable century will be remembered as the defining moment of the series.

Pak vs sa 2nd T20 | Short Highlights

South Africa won the Match by 7 Wickets.

1st Innings:

Pakistan Score: 206-5 in 20 Overs.

PakIstan’s Batting performance:

  1. Mohammad Rizwan: 11 (13 balls faced).
  2. Saim Ayub: 98* (57 balls faced).
  3. Babar Azam: 31 (20 balls faced).
  4. Usman Khan: 3 (5 balls faced).
  5. Tayyab Tahir: 6 (6 balls faced).
  6. Irfan Khan Niazi: 30 (16 balls faced).
  7. Abbas Afridi: 11* (4 balls faced).

Yet to Bat: Shaheen Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

South Africa’s bowling performance:

  1. Dayyaan Galiem: 2-21 in 4 overs.
  2. Kwena Maphaka: 0-41 in 3 overs.
  3. Donovan Ferreira: 0-37 in 3 overs.
  4. Ottniel Baartman: 2-51 in 4 overs.
  5. Nqaba Peter: 0-28 in 2 overs.
  6. George Linde: 1-28 in 4 overs.

2nd Innings:

SOUTH AFRICA’S BATTING PERFORMANCE:

  1. Reeza Hendricks: 117 (63 balls faced).
  2. Ryan Rickelton: 2 (2 balls faced).
  3. Matthew Breetzke: 12 (10 balls faced).
  4. Rassie van der Dussen: 66 (38 balls faced).
  5. Heinrich Klaasen: 8 (5 balls faced).

Yet to Bat: Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Dayyaan Galiem, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Ottniel Baartman.

PAKISTAN’S BOWLING PERFORMANCE:

  1. Shaheen Afridi: 0-37 in 4 overs.
  2. Jahandad Khan: 2-40 in 4 overs.
  3. Haris Rauf: 0-57 in 4 overs.
  4. Abbas Afraid: 1-46 in 3.3 overs.
  5. Abrar Ahmed: 0-29 in 4 overs.

Reeza Hendricks has been awarded Player of the Match.

Pak vs SA 2nd T20 Match | Preview

PAK VS SA 2nd T20

Pakistan lost the first T20 by 11 runs in Kingsmead, Durban. George Linde’s stunning performance confirmed South Africa’s win. The second T20 match will be held today, 13 December, at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Pakistan has played four T20 International matches here. Surprisingly, four out of four have been won. Pakistan is likely to level the playing field today. Pakistan has previously made astounding records at Centurion.

About the venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion. 

Highest score by individual.

Babar Azam: 122 Runs vs South Africa in 2021.

BEST BOWLING FIGURE.

Umer Gul: 5 Wickets off 6 runs vs South Africa in 2013.

Highest total by the Team.

West Indies: 258-5 in 20 Overs vs South Africa.

Highest Chased by Team.

South Africa: 259-4 in 18.5 Overs vs West Indies.

Lowest total by Team.

South Africa: 100-10 in 12.2 Overs vs Pakistan.

PAK VS SA t20I Records

Pakistan and South Africa played 23 T20I matches against each other. Out of which South Africa has gotten victory in 11 and Pakistan in 12 Matches.

Squads:

Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Omair Bin Yousuf.

South Africa

Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Rassie van der Dussen, Donovan Ferreira, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Reeza Hendricks, Anrich Nortje, Nqaba Peter, Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Andile Simelane

Zimbabwe’s Stunning T20 Victory Over Afghanistan

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Zimbabwe Confirmed victory by 4 Wickets at the last ball of the Match in 1st T20, against Afghanistan at Harare.

Zimbabwe took the lead by 1-0 in the three T20 Matches series against Afghanistan. Afghanistan won the toss and elected to Bat First. Their opening pair went to Pavilion early. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was out on Duck and Sediqullah Atal lost his wicket on 3 runs. Richard Ngarava through a good-length bowl sent Mohammad Ishaq to the pavilion. Ngarava has taken his 2nd Wicket. At that time Afghanistan was looking Trouble. One down batsman, Hazratullah Zazai contributed 20 runs, including three boundaries, and was then dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani.

Afghanistan slipped further as their upper-order batsmen failed to glitter the Scoreboard. Karim Janat was struggling and due to that Azmatullah Omarzai looked to take the risk. He seems to go over long-on but mistimes it and is taken there. Bowling all-rounder, Karim Janat smashed a fifty, including 5 fours. His strike rate was not as good as it should have been, but he gave a quite good inning to Afghanistan in a Critical situation. He remained not out throughout the inning. Muhammad Nabi played a nice inning, 44 off 27 Ball faced, including five 4s and one 6s. Afg made 144-6 in 20 overs.

Zimbabwe had to chase 144 in 20 overs. Early in 3rd over Afg gets their first wicket. Naveen-ul-Haq struck and dismissed their opening batter Tadiwanashe Marumani.  Brian Bennett played a quite good inning 49 (49), including five 4s. A 75-run partnership between Dion Myers and Bennett pushed Zimbabwe to win. Muhammad Nabi came into action and broke the Partnership between them, as he sent Myers to Pavilion. Naveen-ul-Haq picked up three wickets while Rashid Khan got two and Muhammad Nabi got one.
Tashinga Musekiwa smashed 11 runs and hit the last ball towards the boundary, finalizing Zimbabwe’s win.

It was Zimbabwe’s 2nd-ever Victory in a T20I against Afghanistan. The second match of the T20 series will be played in Harare on Friday, 13 Dec.

Brian Bennett is Chosen as the Player of the Match.

George Linde’s All-Round PERFORMANCE Led SA Towards Victory


In the first T20 match against Pakistan, South Africa’s left-arm spinner George Linde performed stunningly with bat and ball. He scored 48 runs just off 24 balls in batting and took 4 wickets with the ball. He closely missed his hat-trick.

South Africa won the toss and opted to Bat first. Their opening batters did not perform well. Reeza Hendricks made 8 runs off 9 balls and Rassie van der Dussen went on Duck. Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed him in the inning’s first over. One down Batsman Matthew Breetzke also went in the pavilion early. David Miller is looking in the form as he played a magical inning of 82 runs off 40 balls faced, including 8 sixes and 4 fours. He played with a strike rate of more than 200. He slapped three sixes in the 10th over. Everyone knows when Miller starts, he never stops, just like this match.

Then George Linde came into action to support David Miller. He scored 48 runs off 24 balls faced, including 4 sixes and 3 fours, with a strike rate of 200. They ensured to set a tough target as they made 183-9 off their 20 overs, which is quite enough to defeat Pakistan. This is the 11th-highest total of T20 in Kingsmead, Durban. The highest total of T20 on this ground is 226-6 by Australia in 2023 against South Africa.

Pakistan faced an early blow as Babar Azam dismissed for a Duck. Despite the loss of an early wicket left-handed batter, Saim Ayub gave a quite good start to Pakistan. As he is playing 200 plus strike rate. His wicket triggered a scoreboard slowdown as South Africa’s spinners, Peter and Linde maintained pressure in the middle overs. Linde bowls nicely as he misses his Hat trick, the ball hits Haris Rauf’s front pad but unfortunately, it misses the leg stump.

Pakistan’s inexperienced middle order looked struggling against left-arm spinner George Linde. He took 4-21 in four overs. Linde made a challenging situation for Pakistan to chase the Target. Pakistan’s captain, Muhammad Rizwan fights alone as he smashed 74 runs off 62 balls but his strike rate was quite slow. Most of the Pakistani batters got out on a single-digit score. Pakistan failed to chase the target and made 172-8 in 20 overs. South Africa won by 11 runs.

David Miller and George Linde’s all-round performance led South Africa to Win.