3 Reasons Why Pakistan Will Lose The 1st T20I Vs South Africa

Anurag Dasgupta

Reasons revealed why Pakistan will lose the 1st T20I [Source: @grassrootscric/X.Com]Reasons revealed why Pakistan will lose the 1st T20I [Source: @grassrootscric/X.Com]

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The wait is over as Pakistan are set to collide against South Africa in a multi-format series, starting from December 10, Tuesday. The T20Is will take place first, a format which will provide an even contest between the two teams.

The year 2024 has been horrendous for the Pakistan side, with them getting knocked out of the T20 World Cup in the group stage. Moreover, recently their performances have not been upto the mark across formats, but the team led by Mohammad Rizwan will be confident of putting up a fight against the Proteas team.

However, the task won't be easy away from home, and looking at the form, it seems Pakistan will lose the first T20I, and there are quite a few good reasons for this statement.

3) Their T20I form has been horrendous in 2024

Out of the 25 T20Is they have played in 2024, the Pakistan side has only won 9 matches, despite boasting big stars. They had a dismal showing in the T20 World Cup as the Babar Azam led side lost to USA and India and crashed out of the group stage.

Moreover, they were humbled by Australia, 3-0 and recently the team lost a T20I match Vs Zimbabwe. Despite improving their Test performances recently, the team failed to deliver the goods in T20Is.

2) Key players out of form

Babar Azam, their star player has been woefully out of form, and was criticised for his average showing in the T20 World Cup. Same goes for Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi, who have been below par and it has been the reason for Pakistan's downfall.

Against Australia, all the three players mentioned failed to deliver as the visitors lost 3-0. South Africa will look to exploit this loophole when the two teams will collide in the first T20I of the series.

1) Barring Rauf, there is no pacer to trouble South Africa

Barrimh Haris Rauf, who has been sensational in the T20Is, there is no other pace threat for the Proteas to deal with.

Shaheen looks out of touch, and the other pacers lack the cutting edge and the experience to push the Proteas on the back-foot. Rauf will only bowl 4 overs, and if South Africa can churn out 20-25 runs in it, they can easily target the other bowlers of the team.