Pakistan vs South Africa – 2nd Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Pakistan vs South Africa taking place? Thursday, February 4th, 2021 – 05:00 (UK)
Where is Pakistan vs South Africa taking place? Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
What is the expected weather for Pakistan vs South Africa? 20-24c with sunshine forecast all five days
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 7 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan spun their way to victory in the first Test in Karachi as Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali caused all kinds of problems to the South African batsmen as they beat the tourists by seven wickets.
- Just as important as their spin duo was Fawad Alam who hit a superb century in the first innings which helped them build a lead of 158 that ultimately laid the foundations for the victory and despite more problems with their opening partnership, their middle order ensured they overpowered South Africa.
- It is hard to see the hosts making any changes for this game following the victory but the form of openers Abid Ali and Imran Butt continues to be under the spotlight as they remain under pressure to find a successful opening partnership.
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa competed well in several sessions of the first Test but ultimately failed to put enough runs on the board to push the hosts and they find themselves one down coming into this second and final Test.
- Faf du Plessis clearly struggled to cope with the spin once again as he was exposed in both innings but Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen all his half centuries but they will need their batsmen to go and reach three figures to close the gap on the hosts in this second Test.
- Despite being hit on the hand which affected his batting in the second innings, x-rays have shown no fracture on Dean Elgar’s left hand and he should be fit to start in what could very well be an unchanged team unless they decide to throw Tabraiz Shamsi in for George Linde.
THE PREDICTION
There were question marks over both batting line-ups in the first Test but it was Pakistan’s spinners that made the difference and that could well be the case here too. While the tourists have the edge with the new ball through Rabada, Ngidi and Nortje, their spinners are not carrying the same threat and conditions will favour the hosts significantly once again in Rawalpindi. With Fawad Alam carrying on his good form and Azhar Ali and Babar Azam also looking closer to their best, the middle order of Pakistan is another key area. Unless the tourists’ batsmen can score big, they will be up against here and the hosts have to be favoured to grind out another victory and compound South Africa’s miseries in the subcontinent.
