Just the one match in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup takes place on Thursday when Pakistan take on South Africa in Sydney and the Proteas are looking to take another step towards a semi final spot.
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Pakistan v South Africa, Sydney Cricket Ground
This is the last match in the penultimate round of games in Group 2 and the outcome of Wednesday's games, Zim v Netherlands and India v Bangladesh will change the composition of the standings. However what we do know is that with 2 wins and 1 no result South Africa are in a strong position to progress whilst Pakistan have 1 win and 2 defeats against their name and their hopes of making the last 4 are hanging by a thread.
Pakistan lost their frst 2 matches, going down to India by 4 wickets in a thrilling finish at the MCG and then losing to Zombabwe by 1 run in Perth. They put themselves on the board with a 6 wicket win over the Netherlands in Perth on Sunday, they have no more margin for error but even a win here and another against Bangladesh in Adelaide might not be enough.
This is how Pakistan lined up last time out.
Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen
Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
South Africa were very much the underdogs for Sunday's clash with India in Perth but after restricting India to 133/9 (Ngidi 4/29, Parnell 3/15) they got up for a 5 wicket win with 2 balls to spare. After losing their first 2 wickets with just 3 runs on the board Markram (52) and Miller (59) helped the Proteas home for a crucial win which really opens the door for a semi final place with this game and a clash with the Netherlands to come.
The Proteas opening game came against Zimbabwe in Hobart, after a lengthy rain delay the match got underway as a 9 overs per side contest but the rain returned with the Proteas poised for victory and no result was possible.
In their second match the Proteas thrashed Bangladesh by 104 runs at the SCG. They posted 205/5 with de Kock (53) and Rossouw (109) doing the damage. Nortje claimed 4 wickets and Shamsi 3 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 101.
This was how the Proteas lined up last time out.
Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje
Head to Head
The teams have met 21 times in this format with South Africa winning 10 and Pakistan have won 11.
Pakistan were 3-1 winners in South Africa in a series staged in 2021.
The Betting
Pakistan are currently trading at around 13/10 to win the game and South Africa can be backed at around 6/10
Rizwan is 23/10 to top score for India and de Kock is 28/10 to top score for the Proteas.
Pakistan are 14/10 to hit the most 6's with the Proteas 9/10 and a tie is 6/1
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
Pakistan are on the brink of being eliminated and the Proteas players have been taking it turns with bat and ball to put in top performances.
Pakistan have yet to play at the SCG in this tournament whilst South Africa have already thrashed Bangladesh by 101 runs at this venue in game where Nortje took 4 wickets for just 10 runs. That performance earns him a horses for courses vote to be top SA wicket taker here.
Rizwan was top scorer for Pakistan with 49 last time out. I think he is a worthy favourite to be top Pakistan run scorer in the circumstances where his team need big performances and quick run runs from their big guns.
Bets: Top SA Wicket Taker Nortje at 33/10 with BetXchange
Top Pakistan Run Scorer Rizwan at 23/10 with BetXchange
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Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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