SA vs PAK Match Preview

The ongoing SA vs PAK two match test series between South Africa and Pakistan will end with the second test, scheduled for this week. The second South Africa vs Pakistan Test will be played in Cape Town from Friday (January 3).

The SA vs PAK series score is currently 1-0 in favor of South Africa. South Africa took an unassailable lead in the series after beating Pakistan by 2 wickets in a thrilling match in Centurion last month.

The 1st match SA vs PAK was nothing short of a rollercoaster and in the end South Africa managed to hold their nerve and crossed the finish line. Set a target of 148 runs, South Africa recovered from 99/8 to chase down the total. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada shared an unbeaten 51-run stand for the ninth wicket to take their team home.

Earlier in the game, Pakistan scored 211 and 237 runs in the first and second innings respectively. On the other hand, South Africa scored 301 runs in their first innings. Here is the SA vs PAK 2nd Test preview.

SA vs PAK Match Preview – 2nd Test, Pakistan Tour of South Africa 2024-25:

SA vs PAK Date and Venue:

The upcoming second Test between South Africa and Pakistan will begin on Friday (January 3). The match will be played at Newlands, Cape Town.

Equipment:

South Africa:

Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden MarkramWiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.

Pakistan:

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Babar AzamHaseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha

Key battles SA vs PAK

Saim Ayub vs Kagiso Rabada:

Saim Ayub was in brilliant form in the limited overs series against South Africa. The young opener was one of the best batsmen in the white-ball series. In the second T20I of the three-match series, he played a brilliant knock of 98 runs.

He followed it up by scoring two centuries in the ODI series. Ayub’s expectations were very high in the first Test, but he couldn’t live up to it. He had the starts in both innings, but failed to turn them into big scores. Ayub scored 14 runs in the first innings before scoring 27 in the second.

The southpaw will look to bounce back in the second Test. South Africa will rely on Kagiso Rabada to get rid of Ayub early. Rabada bowled Ayub in the second innings of the first Test and will have more success against him.

Babar Azam vs Marco Jansen:

Marco Jansen will look to win his duel against Babar Azam again. The scandal pacer can trouble any batsman in the world, especially in home conditions, as he blew Pakistan away in the second innings.

After taking 1 wicket in the first innings, Jansen took 6 wickets in the second innings. One of those wickets was from Babar Azam. The former Pakistan skipper was well prepared and batting on 50 when Jansen dismissed him.

Aiden Markram vs Mohammad Abbas:

Aiden Markram and Mohammad Abbas were two of the best players in the first Test and the battle between them could decide the fate of the next game. Markram was named player of the match for scoring 89 and 37 in the match.

On the other hand, Abbas almost took home the Man of the Match award after picking up 6 wickets in the second innings that put Pakistan on the verge of a famous victory. Abbas also dismissed Markram in the second innings and will look to bring him back again.

Key players SA vs PAK

WHERE – Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen will be some of the key players for South Africa.

PAK – Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Abbas will be the key players for Pakistan.

Conclusion:

There is still a lot at stake in the upcoming match, although South Africa have taken an unassailable lead in the series and have already booked their place in the WTC final. Pakistan can create history by winning the next Test.

They have lost the 4 tests they have played in Cape Town and will be eager to improve their record. On the other hand, South Africa will be keen to win the next match to maintain their hundred percent record against the Proteas.