Pakistan v South Africa World Cup Tips: Pakistan have chance in chase

• Pakistan worth the risk

• Loser faces elimination

• Chennai spin-friendly

Pakistan v South Africa
Friday 27 October, 09:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Pakistan v South Africa World Cup team news

Pakistan are having a miserable time and are in must-win territory following defeat by Afghanistan. They've lost sight of their best XI and may be best served to bring back Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Wasim because of their record against South Africa. Usama Mir and Hasan Ali need to be dropped for the lattet pair. Agha Salman may get a game, too.

Possible XI: Fakhar, Imam/Shafique, Babar, Rizwan, Shakeel/Salman, Iftikhar, Nawaz, Shadab, Wasim, Afridi, Rauf

South Africa are bullying teams and they have put defeat by the Dutch behind them. At the moment they don't have a player who is not performing. Still, they could find room for Tabraiz Shamsi on a spinning surface. Lizaad Williams would be the unlucky sort to miss out. Temba Bazuma, if well, comes back in for Reeza Hendricks.

Possible XI: De Kock, Bavuma, van der Dussen, Markram, Klaasen, Miller, Jansen, Coetzee, Maharaj, Rabada, Shamsi

Pakistan v South Africa World Cup pitch report

The Chennai surface takes spin and also hinders the defender because of the dew. This is a test for South Africa's big-dog style if they bat first. Three of the four games so far at the venue have been won by the chaser. It could pay to be brave and take on a high par line for the Saffers batting first it it's in the 320s.

Pakistan v South Africa World Cup match odds

South Africa are as short as 1.584/7 with Pakistan 2.727/4. The latter price is tempting.

But with a caveat. They need the toss in their favour, meaning they have the chance to take on a historically expensive South Africa attack with them hampered by a wet ball.

Pakistan v South Africa World Cup player bets

Babar Azam has been boosted to 7/24.50 and that is a fair selection on win rate. Heinrich Klaasen also wins more often than odds of 13/27.50. Shaheen Shah Afridi has surpassed Haris Rauf's return rate for top Pakistan bowler so 11/43.75 jolly is fair. Gerald Coetzee has seven returns in ten so is underrated at 7/24.50.