CT 2017, Match 7, PAK v SA: South Africa Predicted XI

In the seventh match of the ICC Champions Trophy, South Africa face a demoralised Pakistan attack who suffered a humiliating loss against their arch-rivals India, the last time they had taken the field. On the other hand, South African are freshly off a convincing victory against a struggling Sri Lankan side.

South Africa would be playing the match at Edgbaston, Birmingham while eyeing a berth at a spot in the semi-finals. If they win their fixture tomorrow, they would become the first team from Group B to qualify for the semi-finals. Pakistan, on the other hand, would look for a win to remain alive in the tournament.

Looking at the current form of the players, it is highly unlikely that the South African think tank would look to chop and change too much in the line-up. Let us look at the predicted eleven of the South African side for the game today.

Openers (Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock)

The Mighty Hash has already announced his presence in the tournament with a brilliant hundred against the hapless Sri Lankan bowling attack. He has already brought his form in the IPL and the one-day series against the Englishmen into the Champions Trophy with yet another match-defining knock of 103 off 115 balls. Whenever he bats these days, he breaks one record or the other.

Quinton de Kock himself has been in a decent touch this season. He would be raring to go at the Pakistanis as he missed out against the Sri Lankans to gear up for the most awaited fixture in the group against the Indians. de Kock was unfortunate enough in the second one-dayer against England as he fell short of his ton by just a couple of runs. He would be the danger in the Powerplays due to his abilities to fetch the gaps consistently in the off-side.

Middle Order (Faf Du Plessis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller)

South African no. 3, Faf du Plessis has the perfect game for this position as he has all the gears in his ammunition. Against the Lankans, South African were circumspect at the start and especially after the wicket of Kock. However, the innings of 75 off just 70 deliveries, turned out to be the game-changing one as far as the Proteans are concerned.

AB de Villiers has not been to convert his starts into something substantial and Pakistan would be fully aware of the fact that de Villiers is a volcano on the verge of erupting. A big one from Mr. 360 is due and de Villiers would be the player to watch out for, in today’s match.

JP Duminy in the last match made a difference of about 70 runs to the total as he scored his 38 at a quick pace and made the necessary impact during the death overs. However, he is the suitable personnel for the Proteas at no. 5 position. In the hindsight, the think tank should have sent Duminy ahead of Miller against the Lankans.

Even though David Miller missed out against Sri Lankans, Pakistan would want to keep the powerful left-hander quite during the last 15 overs of the match, where he causes maximum destruction. The second one-dayer against England is a prime example of his capabilities with the blade. Miller, Duminy, de Villiers, and du Plessis make one of the strongest and experienced batting lineup in the world.

All Rounder (Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell)

Chris Morris, along with JP Duminy, were largely responsible for posting a target of runs. Morris has been a quintessential member of both South Africa and Delhi Daredevils over the past two years. A team with Morris coming in at number 7 along with his abilities with the ball during the middle overs and the death.

Wayne Parnell has a slightly different role to that of Morris. Parnell is more of a bowling all-rounder in the team who would want to contribute more towards the wicket column along with his disciple in line and length. South Africa look the most compact side in the tournament with the presence of these two players.

Bowlers (Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir)

The priced possession for South Africa who has already taken over the reigns from Dale Steyn when it comes to express pace, Kagiso Rabada, would look to dominate against the frail looking Pakistani unit, along with the likes of Morkel, who has made a comeback in the scheme of things.

Imran Tahir would be designated as the danger man from the South African bowling attack as far as Pakistan is concerned. The leg-spinner turned the match around in his side’s favour as soon as he was introduced into the attack. As a result, he was awarded the man of the match title.

Overall, Morris, Rabada, Tahir are expected to complete their entire quota of overs with Parnell, Morkel and JP Duminy completing the rest of the twenty overs. South African fielding would also be an additional threat to pick up of a wicket or two on their own, just like the previous match.