BackCan Pakistan beat South Africa to stay in the hunt?
The match between Pakistan and South farica will be the first one to be played at Lord's at ICC cricket World Cup 2019Pakistan and South Africa are on three points having played five and six matches respectively
PremiumWith three losses in five games, Pakistan need to beat South Africa on Sunday to stay in contention for the semi-finals. As for the Proteas, they will be playing mostly for pride, having already lost four games out of six. Mint tells you what to look out for in the 30th match of the World Cup.
First look at Lord’s
The hallowed ground of Lord’s in London, which will host the World Cup final for a record fifth time on July 14, enters the scene on Sunday with the round robin league game between Pakistan and South Africa. And two days later, the big game between England and Australia will be played here. The host nation’s fans will watch with keen interest how it plays, after England’s shock defeat to Sri Lanka on Friday. It’s expected to be cloudy on Sunday, which will encourage the pace bowlers from both sides. Lord’s generally lays out batting-friendly pitches for ODIs these days, but the wet summer could have an effect.
Pakistan look confused
Pakistan were confused about selection before the World Cup, and it continues half-way into the tournament. Their best pace bowlers Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz were last-minute inclusions, after being left out of the original World Cup squad. Their best middle order triker by current form, Asif Ali, was also a last-minute induction into the squad. He made two fifties in four games against England before the World Cup. His strike rate in that series was over 130, much better than anyone else in the Pakistan middle order. But he was dropped for the game against India.
What’s the best XI for Pakistan?
Shoaib Malik looks well past his prime. He’s in the side for his experience, but has contributed just 8 runs in three matches. Dropping him would solve the selection problem for skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and coach Mickey Arthur. Asif Ali could play every game instead of alternating with left-arm spinning all-rounder Imad Wasim, who did well in the England series as well as against India. Ahmed and Arthur also blundered in dropping the leg-spinner, Shadab Khan, to include a fourth speedster against Australia. He’s a potential wicket-taker, and should be the last one to face the axe.
SA batting lacks zing without ABD
Rassie van der Dussen, who has taken the No.4 position vacated by AB De Villiers, has notched up an ODI average of 76 which looks impressive on paper. The problem is his strike rate which is below 80. This was evident in the game against New Zealand where South Africa scored at just over seven an over in the last five overs despite having a well-set Rassie who stayed unbeaten on 67. He got outdone time and again by slower balls. Hashim Amla is a shadow of his former self, Faf du Plessis hasn’t got going, and David Miller seems unable to get past the thirties.
The stigma of being ‘chokers’
South Africa have squandered opportunities in every World Cup, and the stigma of being ‘chokers’ came back to haunt them in the New Zealand match. Their bowlers had fought back despite a modest score of 241 to defend. But then followed a familiar series of calamities.
Wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock persuaded ace leg-spinner Imran Tahir not to review an umpiring decision, although the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson had nicked the ball, as replays showed. Williamson was let off again the very next over with a fumbled run out chance. He made an unbeaten century and sheepishly collected the man-of-the-match award.
Sumit Chakraberty is the author of 2019 Cricket World Cup Thinking Cap.
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