SA vs PAK ODI series, 2021: Stats Preview - Babar's chance to break Amla's record, Shaheen's upcoming milestones and more stats

Pakistan and South Africa are set to clash in a three-match ODI series starting 2nd April 2021. The first game of the series will be held at SuperSport Park, Centurion. The teams will later play a four-match T20 series. The newly appointed captain Temba Bavuma will be leading the Proteas side in this series. The last international series of these two teams was against each other only, where Pakistan registered a victory both in T20I and Test series at home.

Let’s look at important stats and numbers before the start of the SA vs PAK ODI series:

Head to Head record

79 – Both teams have played 79 ODI so far, of which 50 have been won by South Africa while Pakistan has won just 28 games.

34 – South Africa have won 21 games against Pakistan among 34 ODIs played at home.

South Africa’s great record at home

12 – In the last 12 ODIs at home, the Proteas team has lost just 1 game and won 10 matches during that phase.

Pakistan’s incredible form in ODIs

8 – In the last 9 ODIs, Pakistan have won 8 while 1 match against Zimbabwe was a tie which they lost in super over. Their last outright loss came against India in World Cup 2019.

Babar’s chance to break Amla’s record

13 – Babar Azam has so far scored 3580 runs in 75 ODI innings which includes 12 centuries and 16 half-centuries. If he scores 1 more century in this series, he will become the fastest to complete 13 ODI tons. Currently, Hashim Amla is at the top spot in this list who hit his 13th hundred in 83 innings, followed by Virat Kohli (86) and Quinton de Kock (86).

Upcoming milestone for Imam-ul-Haq

166 – Imam-ul-Haq has accumulated 1834 runs in 40 ODI innings. If he scores 166 runs in this series, he will become the second-fastest player to complete 2000 ODI runs after Hashim Amla (40 innings).

Afridi’s eyes on 50th wicket

50 – Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has picked up 45 wickets in 22 ODI matches so far. He needs to take 5 wickets in the first ODI to become the quickest bowler to complete 50 ODI wickets for Pakistan. Currently, this record is held by Hasan Ali (24 ODIs) for Pakistan, and by Ajantha Mendis (19 ODIs) in the overall record.

A unique feat for Bavuma

6 – Temba Bavuma will be leading the Proteas team in this series. He will be the 16th ODI captain of the South African team. However, he has played just 6 ODIs so far in which he has scored 335 runs at an average of 55.83. Apart from Clive Rice, who was the Proteas captain for their first-ever ODI, only Aiden Markram ( 2 ODIs) played fewer games in the format before captaining the South African side.

Miller nearing 100 sixes

100 –  David Miller has played 132 ODIs so far in which he has aggregated 3231 runs including 88 sixes. He needs to hit 12 sixes in this series to become the fourth Proteas player to complete 100 ODI sixes.