The first of three T20 Internationals between Pakistan and South Africa takes place in Lahore on Thursday and we take a look at the squads, form and the all important betting.
Pakistan won the recently concluded test series 2-0 and we now have 3 T20's to look forward and all the games will be staged in Lahore.
Let's start with a look at the squads.
Pakistan:Babar Azam (captain), Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Hussian Talat, Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Zafar Gohar, Faheem Ashraf, Aamer Yamin, Amad Butt, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hussain, Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir, Zahid Mahmood
The bulk of the Proteas who were on duty in the test series have returned home and Heinrich Klaasen will skipper the following squad.
South Africa: Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Nandre Burger, Okuhle Cele, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Ryan Rickleton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Jon-Jon Smuts, Jacques Snyman, Glenton Stuurman, Pite van Biljon
Recent T20 Form
Pakistan were in New Zealand in December and they lost a 3 match series 2-1. Prior to that they completed a 3-0 clean sweep of Zimbabwe in November and they drew 1-1 in England in August / September.
South Africa hosted England late last year and they lost all 3 matches by margins of 5 wickets, 4 wickets and 9 wickets. Earlier in 2020 the Proteas lost to England and Australia (both 2-1).
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 14 times and South Africa have won 8 to Pakistan's 6.
The most recent head to heads came in South Africa in February 2019 and the Proteas won a 3 match series 2-1.
The Betting, 1st T20 Match Result
Pakistan 4/9
South Africa 17/10
As far as the outright betting to win the series is concerned Pakistan are 7/25, and the Proteas are 5/2
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict:
The betting suggests the Proteas have a tough task here and second guessing their line up is no east task as I would expect the whole squad will get a game over the course of the 3 matches.
I will go with Ryan Rickletonas a speculative top bat pick for SA. He was in great form for the Lions recently and I reckon he has the skills to make an impact at this level.
Hasan Ali, who had a terrific second test for Pakistan is also very useful in this format and he gets my vote to be top Pakistan bowler.
Bets: Top Pakistan Bowler, Hasan Ali at 13/4
Top SA Bat, Ryan Rickleton at 9/2
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