SA vs PAK Dream11 Prediction Today Match, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Pitch Report – Pakistan Tour Of South Africa 2024, 1st Test

SA vs PAK, Pakistan Tour Of South Africa: Dream11 Predictions For 1st Test Match [Source: @ESPNcricinfo, @ProteasMenCSA/x.com]

South Africa (SA) and Pakistan (PAK) will lock horns against each other in the first Test match of their two-match Test series on Thursday, December 26th, 2024, in SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium, Centurion, South Africa. The contest will get underway at 1:30 PM IST.

Ahead of this game, here is a look at the Dream11 predictions, the fantasy cricket tips, the pitch report and the best predicted XIs for the fantasy contests of the match.

SA vs PAK 1st Test Preview

South Africa is coming into this match with a stellar record, having recently whitewashed and won their previous series against Sri Lanka 2-0, and they are currently leaders of the WTC standings with 6 wins in 10 matches. This is a very important series in the context of WTC. A solitary win in the series would ensure South Africa's berth in the upcoming WTC Final. Temba Bavuma, the skipper, is in fine form with consistent contributions in recent matches. South Africa boasts a balanced batting lineup, including Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, and debut sensation Tristan Stubbs, who has shown promise with two centuries in his early career.

On the other hand, the Pakistan side is arriving in the red ball contest against the Proteas with their heads held high after a 3-0 series win in the ODI format. Pakistan won their previous Test series against England 2-1 in Pakistan; however, transitioning to Test cricket will be challenging, especially on South African pitches. Captain Shan Masood and batting maestro Babar Azam will anchor the innings, while Saud Shakeel and Saim Ayub are expected to bring stability to the middle order. Pakistan’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Naseem Shah and Mohammad Abbas, has the potential to exploit South Africa’s conditions.

SA vs PAK 1st Test Head-to-Head Record in Test Matches

SA vs PAK 1st Test Weather And Pitch Report

Weather: According to AccuWeather, there is a heavy chance of rainfall and thunderstorm during the second and third day of the match. With cloudy and humid weather in the initial few days, the temperature is expected to hover between the 28°C-17°C mark during the match.

Pitch Report: The surface of SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium is ideally known as one of the fastest pitches in South Africa; the pitch also assists the batters with the ball generally coming on to the bat. However, there is plenty of seam movement for pacers. The pitch changes its behaviour during the fourth and fifth day of a test match. Scoring runs becomes a challenge for the batters then. The stadium has a quick outfield and can provide an intense competition between the bat and the ball.

SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium, Centurion - Record of Chasing Teams in Tests

The venue has previously hosted 29 test games; out of these, 12 matches have been won by the chasing side. The skipper winning the toss might prefer to bat first on this ground depending upon the weather report and pitch's condition in later stages of the game.

Hot Picks for SA vs PAK 1st Test Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips

SA vs PAK 1st Test Captain and Vice-captain

SA vs PAK 1st Test Fantasy Team for Head-to-Head/Small Leagues

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Ryan Rickelton
Batters: Babar Azam, Temba Bavuma, Shan Masood
All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Aamer Jamal, Agha Salman
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas

Captain: Agha Salman
Vice-captain: Marco Jansen

SA vs PAK 1st Test Fantasy Team for Winner Takes All/ Grand Leagues

Wicketkeepers: Kyle Verreynne
Batters: Babar Azam, Temba Bavuma, Saim Ayub, Aiden Markram
All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Agha Salman
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Naseem Shah, Keshav Maharaj

Captain: Temba Bavuma
Vice-captain: Babar Azam

SA vs PAK 1st Test Expert Advice

Given the playing conditions and the expected team combinations of the two sides, a 2-3-3-3 or a 1-4-3-3 combination will be ideal for the game.

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