PAK vs SA: ODI series – Five players to watch out for
Pakistan and South Africa are all set to resume their rivalry on the cricket field. Pakistan will visit the land of the Proteas for three ODIs and four T20Is. The ODI series will get underway on April 2nd 2021 while the T20Is will start on April 10th. Earlier this year, South Africa had visited Pakistan for two Tests and three T20Is and lost both the series. As both the teams gear up for another bilateral series, let us take a look at five players to watch out for during the series.
5. Babar Azam:
The tour to South Africa will be Babar’s fourth overseas tour as captain. The Pakistan captain will be desperate to register his first series victory as a captain outside Pakistan soil. His first overseas series as captain was against Australia. Babar had scored two fifties in the three-match T20I series but could not prevent his side from losing the series 2-0 against the kangaroos. The tour to Australia was followed by the tour of England where the T20I series ended with the scoreline reading 1-1. The third tour was to New Zealand earlier this year but Babar missed the entire T20I and Test series due to injury. The right-handed batsman has already proved himself as a batsman and will be keen to show his credentials as a captain in South Africa.
4. Haider Ali:
One of the most exciting youngsters in world cricket at the moment, Haider Ali will be looking to further enhance his reputation when he takes guard in South Africa. A good outing in testing conditions in the land of the Proteas will only boost his confidence. Haider had failed to do well in the home series against South Africa and will be keen to make amends. In the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he looked in good touch as he played knocks of 24*, 50 and 36. The highly-rated youngster has already hit two T20I fifties and would be eyeing another impressive outing on his maiden tour to South Africa.
3. Temba Bavuma:
The upcoming series will be a historic one for Temba Bavuma as he will become South Africa’s first permanently-appointed black African captain to lead the team. Earlier this month, he was named as South Africa’s permanent limited-overs captain and would be looking to start his stint as the skipper with a series win. The Proteas will be desperate to put up a good show at home after the poor display against England in their last limited-overs assignment at home and will be desperately hoping that their fortunes change under their new skipper.
2. Quinton de Kock:
Quinton de Kock is another player who will garner a lot of attention in the upcoming series. The wicketkeeper-batsman will be looking to regain his touch with the willow after being relieved of his captaincy duties. De Kock had succeeded Faf du Plessis in the white-ball format last February and was asked to step-in as temporary Test captain for the 2020-21 summer. He couldn’t make much of an impression as a captain and also struggled with the bat. The southpaw managed only 74 runs in six Test innings at a forgettable average of 12.33. In ODIs and T20Is, he scored 305 and 416 runs respectively as captain.
1. Shadab Khan:
Shadab Khan will be looking for a fresh start after struggling with injuries and his bowling form. Pakistan’s limited-overs vice-captain had missed the home white-ball series against Zimbabwe late last year with a groin injury but had recovered in time for the New Zealand tour. The problem, however, got worse during a tour game in Christchurch, but he was cleared to lead Pakistan in the T20Is after Babar Azam picked up a finger injury. The injury, however, ruled him out of the Test series as well as the home series against South Africa. Shadab returned to action in the PSL but struggled with the ball as he averaged 56.50 in four games, and took only two wickets at an economy rate of 8.69 runs per over.
