SA vs PAK 2nd ODI Preview: Key Players And Stats, Live Streaming, Pitch Report, Probable XIs

South Africa to face Pakistan in 2nd ODI on December 19 [Source: @ProteasMenCSA/X.com]

In a must-win game, South Africa will lock horns with Pakistan in the second ODI of the three-game series. The clash will be held on December 19 at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town from 5.30 PM IST. 

SA vs PAK 2nd ODI: Match Details And Live Streaming

SA vs PAK 2nd ODI: South Africa 0-1 down after 1st ODI defeat

Surprisingly, South Africa went down in the first ODI against Pakistan. Batting first, the Proteas struggled to weather Salman Agha’s fiery spell and managed to post just 239 runs on the board. In reply, Pakistan lost back-to-back wickets against Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. However, Saim Ayub’s remarkable ton and Salman Agha’s 82 off 90 balls steered the men in green to a comfortable 3-wicket victory.

Hence, the second ODI becomes a must-win game for the Proteas. Bowling was subpar in the first contest. Besides Ottneil Baartman and Kagiso Rabada, other bowlers failed to neutralise Saim Ayub’s aggression. Nonetheless, the upcoming ODI offers an opportunity for South Africa to come back roaring and level the series.

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SA vs PAK 2nd ODI: Pakistan has a golden opportunity to win a series

After suffering defeat in the T20I series, Pakistan made an extraordinary comeback in the opening contest of the ODI series. Saim Ayub and Salman Agha, the two youngsters, showed a lot of courage and grit to deliver under pressure. However, cricket is not a two-man job. To win a series in South Africa, the men in green will eventually have to come together to perform as a unit.

Babar Azam and captain Rizwan have bigger responsibilities as veterans. Their average form is not a good sign for Pakistan. Haris Rauf going wicketless with a heavy economy will further put a strain on the spinners. Hence, the middle-order stability and economy of fast bowlers are two key areas Pakistan needs to improve to outclass the Proteas in the second ODI and clinch an unexpected series victory.

SA vs PAK 2nd ODI: Pitch Report

 The surface at Newlands traditionally offers some assistance to seamers, especially under overcast conditions. Spinners, too, tend to get some grip and turn as the game progresses, particularly in the second innings. Once the initial swing subsides, the pitch will become favourable for batters. 

Teams batting first will aim for totals in the range of 260–280, with 300+ being a competitive target. Historically, teams chasing have found success, especially under lights, as the pitch tends to flatten out in the second half. Hence, captains winning the toss might prefer to chase, considering the dew factor and historical trends at this venue.

SA vs PAK 2nd ODI: Key Players And Stats

• Saim Ayub: 389 runs, 2 centuries in 7 ODIs in 2024; Average: 64.83; SR: 107.16
• Salman Agha: only Pakistan all-rounder with 615 runs and 14 wickets in ODI career
• Kagiso Rabada: 12 wickets in Newlands in 6 ODIs; Average: 26.25, Economy: 5.52
• Heinrich Klaasen: 927 runs in 2023; Average: 46.35; SR: 140.66 
• Shaheen Afridi: 17 wickets in last 10 games vs South Africa

SA vs PAK 2nd ODI: Probable Playing XIs

South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Tabraiz Shamsi

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

SA vs PAK 2nd ODI: Winner Prediction

The three-game ODI series is evenly poised. However, given the pitch conditions and squad strength, South Africa is likely to win the upcoming ODI against Pakistan.

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