South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd T20 Predictions and Preview

While most people - including myself - thought that South Africa wouldn’t be able to put up much of a fight considering their weakened squad, the Proteas didn’t just give their opponents a fight - they almost snatched a win. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be shaken, but happy to have wiggled out a win after being surprised with a high total, making it the highest successful chase for the team. With the lead secured, they will now look to double it, while Heinrich Klaasen’s men attempt to fight back. Before the two squads lock horns once more, let’s take a look at how they did.

South Africa

Predicted XI for 2nd T20 vs Pakistan

Heinrich Klaasen (c/wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Janneman Malan, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lizaad Williams, Sisanda Magala, Pite van Biljon, Wihan Lubbe.

South Africa team preview and form

It was perhaps the lack of the pressure of expectation that helped the South Africans play such a fluid brand of cricket. Batting first, Aiden Markram’s 51 from 32 gave them a good start in tandem with Janneman Malan’s 24-run cameo. Then came captain Heinrich Klaasen with a fast-paced 50 off 28, with Pite van Biljon supporting him with 34 from 24. Together, the quartet helped their team put up a strong 188. However, their bowling was much weaker. Although Beuran Hendricks took 3-32 and Tbraiz Shamsi got 2-29, the rest of the bowlers were almost all ineffective, and the Proteas ended up losing the match off of the penultimate delivery of the match.

South Africa key players for 2nd T20 vs Pakistan

Heinrich Klaasen: After an excellent captain’s knock in the first match, Klaasen will be looking to pile up the runs.

Aiden Markram: Markram has shown time and again to be a potent striker of the ball.

Beuran Hendricks: His triple haul in the first match was instrumental in making the first match such a close affair.

Tabraiz Shamsi: Shamsi is a consistent performer who can be counted on almost anywhere.

Pakistan

Predicted XI for 2nd T20 vs South Africa

Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir.

Pakistan team preview and form

After chasing down the highest total they have ever hunted down, Pakistan will be brimming with confidence and ready for more challenges. It was two wickets each and highly economical bowling from Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Ali that gave Pakistan a chance, as every other bowler was butchered despite two other wickets being taken between them. Chasing 188, it took a match-winning 74* off 50 from Mohammad Rizwan to set Pakistan on the right course, as Faheem Ashraf’s 30 off 14 Fakhar Zaman’s 27 from 19 were the only other scores that mattered. In the end, Pakistan won by 4 wickets with a ball to spare.

Pakistan key players for 2nd T20 vs South Africa

Mohammad Rizwan: Seemingly back in form, Rizwan should be a force to be reckoned with for the inexperienced South African bowlers.

Babar Azam: One poor performance doesn’t change the fact that Babar Azam is Babar Azam.

Mohammad Nawaz: Even on a pitch that supports spinners, Nawaz was superb. 

Haris Rauf: Haris may not have tasted much success in the first match, but he has the ability to step things up.

South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd T20 pitch report and weather conditions

The pitch at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg turned out to be better for batting than expected, with both teams almost reaching 190. However, fast bowlers still had a good time, and even spinners got in on the action. Teams batting first will want to put up 190+ this time around.

With absolutely no rain in the cards and the weather being pleasant by every criterion and metric, it should be a night of peaceful, uninterrupted cricket in Joburg.

Can the hosts come back to even the odds? Or will the visitors run away with their advantage? Find out if our South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd T20 predictions come true on Monday!