Pakistan will face South Africa in their ICC Cricket World Cup, 2023 on October 27 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India. The match is scheduled to begin at 02:00 PM IST. The Pakistan cricket team has had a rollercoaster of a tournament so far. The Men in Green began the competition with two back-to-back wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. Following that, they suffered a hat-trick of defeats to hosts India, five-time champions Australia and a shock loss to Afghanistan in their previous match.
The Babar Azam-led side is placed fifth in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 league standings with four points from 5 matches. They have a Net Run Rate of -0.400.
South Africa, meanwhile, is a team in red-hot form. They registered wins over Sri Lanka and Australia in their opening two matches. However, they suffered a shock loss to the Netherlands. Since then, the Proteas have clinched massive wins over England (by 229 runs) and Bangladesh (149 runs).
The Temba Bavuma-led side is placed second on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 league standings with eight points from five matches.
PAK vs SA pitch report
The pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai is a batting-friendly track. However, as the match progresses the surface starts to crack up and brings the spinners into play. The average score in the first innings in the last 10 matches at this stadium is 265. However, in the last four ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 matches, the teams bowling first have won three matches while one match was won by the side batting first.
Pace or Spin?
The venue is suited for spinners. The track tends to slow down as the match progresses and provides assistance to spinners.
PAK vs SA weather report
Temperature will hover around 29.45 degree C and humidity is expected to be around 61%. Winds at a speed of 5.31 m/s are expected.
PAK vs SA squads
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir and Zaman Khan
South Africa: David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Quinton de Kock (wk), Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi
Pakistan vs South Africa head-to-head record in ODIs
Pakistan and South Africa have competed against each other on 82 occasions in ODIs. While South Africa have won on 51 occasions, Pakistan have registered 30 victories. One match ended with no result.
The last 5 ODI contests have seen Pakistan win 3 times while South Africa have won on 2 occasions. The highest score in these 5 matches is 341 by South Africa whereas the lowest has been 240 by Pakistan.
Pakistan vs South Africa ODI records
Highest score: Pakistan's 351/4 at Durban in 2007 is their highest total against South Africa in ODI cricket.
Meanwhile, South Africa's 392/6 at Centurion in 2007 is their highest score against Pakistan in ODI cricket.
Lowest score: Pakistan's 89 at Mohali in 2006 is their lowest score in ODIs against South Africa.
Meanwhile, South Africa's 101 at Sharjah in 2000 is their lowest total in ODI cricket against Pakistan.
Average score: Pakistan's average score in Pakistan vs South Africa ODI matches is 219, while South Africa averages 231 runs on the board in ODIs.
Pakistan vs South Africa World Cup 2023 prediction
Pakistan have won three of the last 5 face-offs against South Africa. However, based on the current form, South Africa is likely to emerge winners in Friday's clash.