T20 World Cup 2022: Pakistan vs South Africa Match Preview, Playing XI, Head to Head, Where to Watch on TV, & Live Streaming Details for T20 WC

The two in-form team South Africa and Pakistan will lock horns in the 36^th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Pakistan’s hopes of making it to the semi-final were crushed when they lost the first two games against India and Zimbabwe. They then relied on India’s victory over the proteas, but that could not happen.

It is very difficult for Pakistan to move to the next stage now, whereas South Africa are now the leading contenders to make it to the semi-final as they’re the only unbeaten team in the entire tournament. As a result, they’re on top of their group’s points table, and Pakistan are struggling at the fifth position.

As for Pakistan, they need to win all their remaining matches to survive in the tournament, but alongside that, they also need the other results of their group to land in their favor. If South Africa wins the match, they’ll be just one step away from sealing the semi-finals berth. Pakistan have won only one game so far, which was against the Netherlands, and they need a morale booster at this stage.

Trouble looms over Pakistan as their opening batter Babar Azam has not found his mojo with the bat. He has been struggling to get going and has not put up an impressive knock in the previous three games. On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan, who was sailing on the same boat, looked promising in the previous encounter as he scored 49 runs in Pakistan’s favor.

South Africa’s top-order batting unit faced trouble last time, but they have got a very powerful middle-order lineup as well. Their bowlers have been very impressive in the tournament so far, which will be an added advantage for the in-form Proteas. South Africa are backed with consecutive victories, and they’ll come into the Pakistan game with a great level of confidence.

Pitch Conditions

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) surface has provided more assistance to the batters. Of the 16 T20Is played here, the teams batting first have won 10 of them, and thus the captain winning the toss would like to bat first and put up a big total. The average first innings score at this pitch is 167, and thus, a high-scoring game can be expected.

Playing Combinations for PAK vs SA

Pakistan

Pakistan need to win this game, because a defeat would put curtains on their T20 World Cup 2022 campaign. They have got a strong combination, but the team needs to work as one. In case of a top-order failure, the middle order need to step up, which is where the Pakistan team lacks behind. Skipper Babar Azam needs to strike this time.

Predicted Playing XI: 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

The one major setback for South Africa has been their skipper Temba Bavuma’s form. He has not managed to make a big impact for quite some time now, which puts the top-order in trouble. The middle-order batters and bowlers are in tremendous form, and will be expected to hold the team together.

Predicted Playing XI: 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

PAK vs SA Head-to-Head

Played- 21 | Pakistan- 11 | South Africa- 10

PAK vs SA Broadcast Details

Match Timings- 1:30 PM IST

TV- Star Sports

Streaming- Disney+Hotstar