Boland Park Paarl Pitch Report For South Africa Vs Pakistan 1st ODI

Debashis Sarangi∙ Updated: Dec 21 2024, 5:09 PM

Boland Park in Paarl [Source: @RajalArora/X]Boland Park in Paarl [Source: @RajalArora/X]

After a humiliating two-nil defeat in the three-match T20I series, Pakistan will take on South Africa in the first One-Day International on Tuesday. It's a day-night affair and will be played at Boland Park in Paarl, South Africa. 

Pakistan put up a disappointing performance in the T20I series, as the South Africans steamrolled them in two consecutive matches. So, this series gives the visitors a golden opportunity to rejuvenate and stun the Proteas in their backyard against all odds. 

The focus will once again be on key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan as far as Pakistan are concerned. On the other hand, South Africa would like better returns from Heinrich Klaasen, who had an underwhelming outing in the T20I leg. 

As the stage is set for a mouth-watering clash, let's see how the surface at Boland Park in Paarl will behave throughout the match. 

Boland Park Paarl Stats And Records In ODIs

Criterion
Data
Matches Played21
Matches won batting 1st10
Matches won batting 2nd10
Average 1st innings score237
Average 2nd innings score184


Boland Park Paarl Pitch Report: Is It Batting Or Bowling Friendly?

The surface at Boland Park in Paarl won't be as quick as the traditional South African pitches in Johannesburg and Centurion. However, as the pace and bounce will be lower, the playing conditions might suit Pakistan's batting. 

There could be a hint of seam movement early on with the new ball. However, overall the conditions will be good for the batters, with the spinners getting a hint of turn in the first innings. The fast bowlers will likely hit the deck and focus on bowling cutters and slow balls in the latter half of the innings. 

As it's a day-night game, the ball might come onto the bat slightly better later in the evening. Therefore, although teams batting first have won three out of the last five men's ODIs here, the toss-winner might opt to chase. 

Players To Watch Out For At Boland Park In Paarl

Tristan Stubbs

  • South Africa's prominent batter Tristan Stubbs has enjoyed stellar success in international cricket this year. Also, Stubbs is the most successful South African batter in Paarl, amassing 242 runs at an average of 60.50 and a strike rate of 91.32. 

Andile Phehlukwayo

  • South Africa's experienced all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo can deceive the batters with his variations. The medium pacer is statistically the most successful bowler in Paarl, scalping ten wickets in five matches. 

Shaheen Afridi

  • Pakistan's experienced fast bowler Shaheen Afridi is their second most successful ODI bowler this year, scalping eight wickets in three matches. He can swing the ball upfront and trouble South Africa's vulnerable top-order. Also, his cutters and slow bouncers might be handy in the latter phase of the innings.