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SA vs PAK 2nd ODI Match Prediction [Source: @TheRealPCB/x.com]
The series is heating up as South Africa and Pakistan lock horns in the second ODI at Newlands in Cape Town on Thursday, December 19. After a disappointing start to the series, the Proteas are in a must-win situation, while Pakistan will look to seal the deal and take an unassailable lead.
South Africa
South Africa had a forgettable outing in the first ODI. Despite a fighting 86 from Heinrich Klaasen, they only managed to put up 239/9 on the board. The top order failed to convert starts, and the batting looked shaky against Salman Agha’s lethal spell, where he grabbed four scalps.
Their bowling wasn’t much better either. Ottneil Baartman and Kagiso Rabada kept things tight, but the rest of the attack, including Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi, failed to deliver. The Proteas know they need to pull up their socks if they want to bounce back and keep the series alive.
Pakistan
After a forgettable T20I series, Pakistan turned the tables in style in the first ODI. Their bowlers, led by Salman Agha’s four-wicket haul, made life difficult for South Africa. While Abrar Ahmed picked up two wickets, the usually reliable Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf had an off day.
With the bat, it was the Saim Ayub show, as the youngster smashed a brilliant 109. Agha Salman rounded off his sensational all-round performance with an unbeaten 82, guiding Pakistan to a seven-wicket win. That said, their senior players, including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, need to step up. Both failed to fire in the opening game, and their form will be crucial for Pakistan to dominate.
SA vs PAK Head-to-Head Records in ODIs
| Categories | South Africa | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 84 | 84 |
| Matches Won | 52 | 31 |
| Matches Lost | 31 | 52 |
| No Result | 1 | 1 |
How Will the Newlands Pitch Behave?
The surface at Newlands Stadium will keep everyone on their toes. In the early overs, the seamers are expected to enjoy swing and bounce, especially under overcast skies. As the game progresses, spinners could come into play, with some grip and turn on offer. Batters will have their time in the sun once the ball stops swinging, but they’ll need to work hard initially. Teams batting first will aim for 250–270 to stay competitive, but anything above 275 could be a match-winner. The history here suggests teams batting first having a significant advantage. As a result, the captain winning the toss is likely to bat first.
Players To Watch Out For In SA vs PAK 2nd ODI
South Africa
Tony de Zorzi
Tony De Zorzi has been a consistent performer as he has scored 341 runs in the last 8 matches at an average of 48.71 and a strike rate of 93.93. His ability to build innings makes him a key player for South Africa.
Tristan Stubbs
Tristan Stubbs has contributed 243 runs in the last 7 matches at an average of 48.6 and a strike rate of 91.01. Known for his attacking style, he provides valuable contributions in the middle order for South Africa.
Ottneil Baartman
Ottneil Baartman has taken 6 wickets in the last 4 matches at an impressive economy of 4.04 and a strike rate of 25. His accuracy and ability to bowl tight spells make him a vital bowler for South Africa.
Andile Phehlukwayo
Andile Phehlukwayo has snagged 6 wickets in the last 6 matches with an economy of 5.09 and a strike rate of 22. His all-round abilities add depth to South Africa's bowling attack.
Pakistan
Saim Ayub
Saim Ayub has been in sensational form as he amassed 389 runs in the last 7 matches at an average of 64.83 and a strike rate of 107.16. His consistency and ability to rotate the strike make him a standout batter for Pakistan.
Abdullah Shafique
Abdullah Shafique has scored 268 runs in the last 10 matches at an average of 33.5 with a strike rate of 75.92. His composed batting style provides stability to Pakistan's top order.
Haris Rauf
Haris Rauf has been exceptional, having bagged 19 wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 5.74 and a strike rate of 24.36. His ability to bowl at pace and deliver in crunch moments makes him a match-winner for Pakistan.
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shaheen Shah Afridi has taken 14 wickets in the last 7 matches with a stellar economy of 5.04 and a strike rate of 28.21. His lethal left-arm pace and ability to strike with the new ball make him a key weapon for Pakistan.
Today's Match Prediction: SA vs PAK 2nd ODI
Predicted Top Performers
South Africa – Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Ottneil Baartman
Pakistan – Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shaheen Shah Afridi
SA vs PAK 2nd ODI: Predicted Score
Predicted first innings score: 250-270
Predicted second innings score: 240-26
Predicted Result: The toss will be a huge factor here, and the team batting first is likely to have an advantage in this match.
 "Jatin")
