Match Details:
The first Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and South Africa will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The match is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM local time and 10:30 AM IST on January 26th. It will be live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD. Live streaming available on Sony LIV.
Preview:
South Africa is touring Pakistan for the first time in 14 years and will play a two-Test series beginning this Tuesday at the National Stadium, Karachi. Both the teams have played a good amount of Test cricket in the last few months. South Africa defeated Sri Lanka at home and are now in full strength as Kagiso Rabada also returns into the Test squad. The visitors are going under a transition and got some serious names in their bowling attack.
On the other side, Pakistan lost against the number one side in the world, New Zealand at their home recently. Babar Azam, who had missed the two Tests against New Zealand, is fit for this Test series at home. Pakistan squad has some of the exciting names from their domestic circuit as they are looking to give opportunities to few newcomers as well.
South Africa defeated Pakistan when they hosted them back in 2018-19. However, Pakistan hasn’t won a single Test against South Africa since 2013 but would like to give it back this time around as they are playing at home. Since international cricket is back in the country, this is the biggest series they are going to have and both the teams on paper ensure to bring some good cricket on the table.
PAK vs SA Weather Report for 1st Test:
The weather for the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa can’t be better for five days as the forecast is showing clear sky throughout the five days. There is no chance of rain throughout the Test Match.
Pitch Condition/Report:
The pitch at the National Stadium Karachi has been pretty good for the batters throughout the domestic season. We can expect something similar for the first Test match as well. The team winning the toss would like to bat first. In addition, spin can play a key role on the fourth and fifth day of the match.
Average first innings score:
326 (Considering last five FC matches at this venue)
Record of chasing teams:
Won – 0, Lost – 1, Draw – 3, Tie – 1
Injury and Availability News:
(Will be added when there is an update)
PAK vs SA Today’s Probable Playing XIs:
Pakistan:
Abid Ali, Imran Butt/Saud Shakeel, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (C), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Faheem Ashraf, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi.
Bench:
Imran Butt/Saud Shakeel, Haris Rauf, Tabish Khan, Nauman Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz.
South Africa:
Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Rassie Van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (C)(WK), George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lutho Sipamla/Lungi Ngidi.
Bench:
Dwaine Pretorius, Lungi Ngidi/Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Mulder Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Daryn Dupavillon, Marco Jansen.
PAK vs SA Top Picks for Today’s Dream11 Match:
Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in the world right now. He will lead the Test side for the first time. He has a pretty healthy record at home with three centuries in three matches he played. He scored the most amount of runs from the Pakistan team when they played South Africa last time.
Faf du Plessis is clearly the best batsman for the touring side. He is the most experienced one and is currently going through a good form. He scored 207 runs in the recent series against Sri Lanka at an average of 103.5.
Dean Elgar is one of the finest openers in the current era of Test Cricket. He has very good records in the subcontinent as an opener with two centuries in Asia. He has been in fine form as he scored at an average above 126 against Sri Lanka at home.
Hasan Ali is back into the Pakistan Test side. He had an amazing domestic season where he was the leading wicket-taker as a pace bowler. He took 43 wickets for CP at an average of 20.06. He can bat a bit as well which makes him a good option to have in your XI.
Also Read: PAK vs SA 1st Test – Preview
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje are highly expected to perform well once again together. Nortje had a brilliant Test series against Sri Lanka whereas Kagiso Rabada will lead the attack once again. He got 18 scalps last time against Pakistan in 2018-19.
Quinton de Kock will be one of the biggest name in this series. He scored at an average above 62 against Pakistan last time around and was the leading run-scorer in the series.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain Options – Babar Azam, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam
Vice-Captain Options – Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Yasir Shah
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for PAK vs SA Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Quinton de Kock
Batters – Babar Azam (C), Faf du Plessis (VC), Fawad Alam, Azhar Ali, Aiden Markram
All-Rounders – George Linde
Bowlers – Shaheen Afridi, Yasir Shah, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for PAK vs SA Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Quinton de Kock, Mohammad Rizwan
Batters – Azhar Ali (C), Babar Azam, Dean Elgar, Abid Ali
All-Rounders – Faheem Ashraf
Bowlers – Yasir Shah (VC), Hasan Ali, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj
Expert Advice:
Fawad Alam has been the top scorer in Pakistan’s domestic circuit for the last 10 years. He is finally playing at home and is highly advisable to be picked in your XI. Considering the pitch and recent scores in the domestic it is advisable to take more batters and pace bowlers in the squad.
Today’s PAK vs SA Probable Winners:
Pakistan are expected to win this match.
