South Africa and Pakistan are ready to face off in the first ODI of the five-match series in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The home side will enter the contest full of confidence after registering a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash in the recently concluded three-match Test series. In the previous five meetings between both teams, it is advantage Pakistan as they've won four matches, whereas Proteas emerged victorious on one occasion. St George's Park in Port Elizabeth will be the venue for the match, which will be hosting its 39th one-day international. Pakistan team have a fantastic record of four wins and just one defeat at the ground. Highest team score of 335-6 was registered by the Men in Green against the hosts in 2002-03, whereas highest individual score of 135 was registered by Pakistan's Saleem Elahi.
In the batting department, Proteas will be depending on the likes of captain Faf du Plessis, veteran right-handed batsman Hashim Amla and explosive David Miller to score bulk of the runs, whereas in the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of pacer Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier and veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir to provide timely breakthroughs.
On the other hand, Pakistan will enter the series hoping that change in format will bring some change in luck as well as they will look to put a much better show in the 50-over contests. In the batting department, the Men in Green have already received a major boost with the arrival of veteran duo of
South Africa and Pakistan are ready to face off in the first ODI of the five-match series in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The home side will enter the contest full of confidence after registering a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash in the recently concluded three-match Test series. In the previous five meetings between both teams, it is advantage Pakistan as they've won four matches, whereas Proteas emerged victorious on one occasion. St George's Park in Port Elizabeth will be the venue for the match, which will be hosting its 39th one-day international. Pakistan team have a fantastic record of four wins and just one defeat at the ground. Highest team score of 335-6 was registered by the Men in Green against the hosts in 2002-03, whereas highest individual score of 135 was registered by Pakistan's Saleem Elahi.
In the batting department, Proteas will be depending on the likes of captain Faf du Plessis, veteran right-handed batsman Hashim Amla and explosive David Miller to score bulk of the runs, whereas in the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of pacer Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier and veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir to provide timely breakthroughs.
On the other hand, Pakistan will enter the series hoping that change in format will bring some change in luck as well as they will look to put a much better show in the 50-over contests. In the batting department, the Men in Green have already received a major boost with the arrival of veteran duo of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez in the middle-order.The team management will be hoping that Malik and Hafeez along with in-form Babar Azam and Shan Masood will be able to score bulk of the runs, whereas in the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan to provide timely breakthroughs.
Key Players:
Shoaib Malik – 9.5 Cr
First in the list of key players features Pakistan's Shoaib Malik. The veteran all-rounder is the only player from 1990's who is still playing at the international level and has tons of experience under his belt. The 36-year-old has an outstanding record while playing in South Africa where he averages 48 in 14 innings in the 50-over format, which included one century and one fifty. Those numbers suggests Malik, who is valued at 9.5 Cr, is the player to have in your team.
Aiden Markram – 8.5 Cr
Second in the list of key players features South Africa's Aiden Markram. The right-hander had a great Test series with the bat where he arguably played two of the most beautiful knocks, which shows he is in great touch and is the player to have in your team. In his short career in the 50-over format, Markram, who is valued at 8.5 Cr, has played 16 ODIs, where has scored 407 runs at an average of 25.43, which included one half-century.
Babar Azam – 10 Cr
Last in the list features Pakistan's Babar Azam. The stylish right-hander was perhaps visitors' one of the most in-form players in the recently concluded Test series, where he showed his talent and class in difficult conditions. In the 50-over format, Azam is one of the best players in the world, which is why he should be the player in your team for the match on Saturday. The 24-year-old, who is valued at 10 Cr, has played 54 ODIs in his career, where he has scored 2,267 runs at an average of 51.52.
