South Africa vs Pakistan – 3rd T20 International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is South Africa vs Pakistan taking place? Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 – 13:30 (UK)
Where is South Africa vs Pakistan taking place? SuperSport Park, Centurion
What is the expected weather for South Africa vs Pakistan? 28c with sunshine and cloudy intervals
What channel is South Africa vs Pakistan on? The match will be televised live on Sky Sports
Where can I stream South Africa vs Pakistan? The match can be streamed live on the SkyGo app
LAST MEETING
South Africa beat Pakistan by 6 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa bounced back in style in the second T20 as they produced an outstanding bowling and fielding display to restrict Pakistan to just 140/9 and they knocked the target off at a canter to level the series.
- All-rounder George Linde took a wicket with the very first ball of the game as he dismissed the in-form Mohammad Rizwan to set the hosts on their way and the three wickets apiece for him and Lizaad Williams were key to South Africa’s success.
- They have kept faith with their starting eleven for the first two games of the series and there is every chance they do so once again after their resounding victory as they continue to blood some of their younger and fringe players.
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan were poor in the second T20 as they laboured to just 140/9 from their 20 overs with not enough of their batsmen making contributions as only skipper Babar Azam (50) and veteran Mohammad Hafeez (32) made a score higher than 12 which was the main reason behind the comprehensive defeat.
- With the openers gone before the end of the third over, the middle order once again failed to make any real contributions so Haider Ali and Mohammad Nawaz especially may come under scrutiny and potentially could drop out with Asif Ali waiting in the wings.
- In-form Fakhar Zaman was a notable absentee in the second game due to a rash on the left-handed batsman’s leg but they will be hoping he is fit to play here and that will significantly boost their batting.
THE PREDICTION
South Africa responded to their opening defeat in style as they hammered Pakistan in the second T20 so it is all to play for coming in to game three of this four-match series. The tourists were not helped by the unexpected loss of Fakhar Zaman who has been in sensational form with the bat but he should be fit to return here. They have to improve drastically however with bat and ball so there could well be changes made for this game. Their batting does look somewhat light and they may be tempted to bring in veteran wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed to bolster their batting as they did in the ODIs at the expense of Mohammad Nawaz. The hosts will be full of confidence after that win and it should make for another entertaining game but the tourists will surely produce a reaction after that dismal loss. Pakistan still have the edge in quality on paper and they will be fired up to respond here. They are marginally preferred to do so in what should be a tight contest.
