Pakistan vs South Africa – 2nd T20 International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Pakistan vs South Africa taking place? Saturday, February 13th, 2021 – 13:00 (UK)
Where is Pakistan vs South Africa taking place? Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
What is the expected weather for Pakistan vs South Africa? 24c cloudy
What channel is Pakistan vs South Africa on? The match will be televised live on Sky Sports Mix or Sky Sports Cricket (Sky channels 416 or 404)
Where can I stream Pakistan vs South Africa? The match can be streamed live via SkyGo
LAST MEETING
Pakistan beat South Africa by 3 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan won the opening T20 match of the series on Thursday by three runs but they will not have been totally happy after only posting 169/6 batting first and only really Mohammad Rizwan producing the goods with the bat.
- The wicketkeeper opened the batting and hit an outstanding 104 from 64 balls but the rest of the batting order could only combine for 59 runs (with six extras) so they will be eager to improve and put more runs on the board here.
- They may contemplate some rotations and it would be no surprise if they were to bring another all-rounder that offers a third spin option given how Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Qadir enjoyed conditions last time out.
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa fell three runs short in the first T20 match against Pakistan and they will have been frustrated to have lost that game after doing well for long spells but ultimately falling agonisingly short.
- They may consider keeping faith with the same team for this game but two players that did struggle were Jacques Snyman and Junior Dala so JJ Smuts and Glenton Stuurman could both be candidates to come into the side.
- While some of their batsmen did look in good touch, none of them could go on to build a big score like Rizwan did so the likes of Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan and Heinrich Klaasen will be keen to see it through if they do get a start.
THE PREDICTION
There was little to choose between Pakistan and South Africa in the opening T20 match of this three-game series but it is the hosts who will feel they have the greater improvement to make. So many of their players were under par and not at their best but will have benefitted from getting a game under their belts. The tourists played well throughout that game but ultimately fell short and they lacked the big-hitting that that hosts possessed. South Africa will have to remedy that and be braver here but that will likely only favour Pakistan further. The hosts are unlikely to have as many players playing as poorly as they did on Thursday and with an improvement in store, expect a win for Babar Azam’s men.
