The first of two test matches between Pakistan and South Africa gets underway in Karachi on Tuesday and we take a look at the squads, form and the all important betting.
Let's start with a look at the squads.
There are 9 uncapped players in the Pakistan squad which is skippered by Babar Azam
Pakistan: Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (captain), Fawad Alam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Yasir Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Tabish Khan
The Proteas have added a couple of players to the squad which was on duty for the recent home series against Sri Lanka.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde, Daryn Dupavillon, Marco Jansen
Recent Test Match Form
Pakistan were in New Zealand over Christmas and New Year and they lost both test matches, the first by 101 runs and the second by an innings and 176 runs. Prior to that in August 2020 they lost a 3 match series in England 1-0
South Africa first test match action for 12 months or so came either side of the new year and they completed a 2-0 home win over Sri Lanka, taking the first contest by an innings and 45 runs and the second by 10 wickets. On England's tour a year ago the Proteas won the first match of the series but lost the next 3 to go down 3-1.
Head to Head
In December 2018/ January 2019 the Proteas completed a 3-0 clean sweep of Pakistan in a home series, winning by margins of 6 wickets, 9 wickets and 107 runs.
You have to go back to August 2007 for South Africa's last test match series in Pakistan and the Proteas won the first match at this venue by 160 runs before they claimed the series with a draw in Lahore.
Since 2013 South Africa have won 7 test match head to heads to Pakistan's 1.
The Betting, 1st Test Match Result
Pakistan 21/20
Draw 4/1
South Africa 33/20
As far as the outright betting to win the series is concerned Pakistan are 21/20, the draw is 15/8 and the Proteas are 11/4.
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict:
The return of Babar Azam is a huge plus for Pakistan but they don't look a strong favourite on the most recent test match form even though games have been few and far between and especially so on home turf.
It will need a special performance from the Proteas to win this but they do have a good record against this opponent. Whether they can adapt to the conditions will be an obvious concern but I'm prepared to chance my arm on a South African win in the first test.
Bets: South Africa to win at 33/20.
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