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Pakistan take 1-0 lead
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Brevis ruled out of series
- Faisalabad pitch is one for batting collapses
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Stick with Afridi for wickets
- Read Ed's Ultimate Guide to the Ashes
Pakistan v South Africa
Wednesday 6 November, 10:00
TV: Live on PCB Live
Pakistan v South Africa Second ODI team news
Pakista's new skip, Shaheen Shah Afridi, got off to a winning start as they clipped South Africa's wings in game one. It was typically topsy-turvy from the hosts who were cruising in the chase but then collapsed at the last, scrambling over the line to win by two wickets.
It is debateable, though, whether they got away with one in terms of balance. Salman Agha and Saim Ayub as your fifth and sixth bowlers could be inviting trouble. Presumably Pakistan think there is enough in the pitch to keep those part-timers keen.
There were three wickets apiece for Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed, the spinner. A strong opening stand from Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub looked to have put the result beyond doubt.
Probable Pakistan XI: Ayub, Fakhar, Babar, Rizwan, Salman, Hasan, Talat, Nawaz, Afridi, Naseem, Abrar
South Africa are very much second string. And it very much looked like an inexperienced XI. They way they let Pakistan in in game one was the work of a team unsure of itself at this level. From 140 for two in the 25th they should have gone on to post something monstrous.
But with Dewald Brevis ruled out pre-toss and Sienthemba Qeshile making a debut in the middle order, it was not wholly suprising they lost their way to post just 263. Brevis will play no part in the series. With no replacement named and games coming thick and fast South Africa are a batter light.
Probable SA XI: Pretorius, De Kock, De Zorzi, Breetzke, Qeshile, Ferreira, Linde, Bosch, Fortuin, Williams, Ngidi
Pakistan v South Africa Second ODI pitch report
As stated before game one the only form guide we had to go on for the Iqbal Stadium was the 2018 Pakistan Cup, the domestic List A competition, which was played in its entirety in Faisalabad. Four of the first six matches saw scores of more than 350 in the first dig and both teams to score 350 came in three times.
Early on in both innings it looked a dry and flat wicket. But it was notable that both sides suffered significant collapses. That suggests that it could get two-paced once the heavy roller and some traffic takes its toll. We expect to see more pace-off from both sides., particularly as we await confirmation that this is a used surface. In play on the Betfair Exchange the strategy will to be to go low on innings runs at high lines with 70-90 run partnership established.
Pakistan v South Africa Third ODI match prediction
Pakistan are not a team to be betting on at significant odds-on. They are no better than 1.528/15. But they will always give a team a chance so the strategy is to wait for the value in-play.
South Africa showed that they can get a foothold in a game, particularly if they bat first. We will be waiting for 1.855/6 or 1.9010/11 Pakistan in-running and it wouldn't be a surprise if we get a very similar match in chartcter to game one.
Ultimately, Pakistan's experience on what could be a classic home pitch should make all the difference. Their ability to find gaps at the crucial times when batting is where they have the edge.
Pakistan v South Africa second ODI T20 player bets
Saim Ayub has four wins from his last 13 on the top bat market for Pakistan in this format. he should have won in the first match when well set. And Afridi is ticking long at more than 40% on win rate for top bowler although the study sample is not huge. Both should prove popular with Betfair Sportsbook punters on their respective markets at 4/15.00 and 12/53.40. Afridi was our pick for the first match so we have to retain faith.
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Back Afridi to be top Pakistan wicket-taker
Picking openers for top bat, like Ayub, may be a decent strategy if we're right about the pitch being at its best early on. But there's also nothing wrong with considering lower-order players at big prices. George Linde and Corbin Bosch may be worth small interest at 14s and 13s.