Cricket Match Prediction | South Africa vs Pakistan | 1st T20I | Dec 10 – Who do you think will win the first match of the series?

RSA vs PAK Match Analysis

On December 10, 2024, at Kingsmead, Durban Pakistan, and South Africa will play the 1st T20I of a three-match T20I series at 10:00 p.m. BST. South Africa will be eager to bounce back under interim captain Heinrich Klaasen as they host a three-match T20I series, following their defeat in the previous series against India.

Meanwhile, Pakistan will aim to adapt to the conditions and perform strongly against South Africa. The two teams have faced each other 23 times in T20 history, with Pakistan holding a narrow edge. They have secured 12 wins compared to South Africa’s 10 victories. During the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, Pakistan won over South Africa in a group-stage match held in Sydney.

RSA vs PAK Team Preview & Squads

South Africa 

South Africa’s leading run-scorer in T20 cricket since January 2024 has been Reeza Hendricks, who has amassed 444 runs in 20 innings at a strike rate of 126.13, including three half-centuries. For the opening game of the series, George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi will serve as the team’s primary spin options. 

RSA depends on middle-order players David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen to provide the majority of the runs in the batting department, as well as openers Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton. The team will rely on Anrich Nortje, Ottneil Baartman, and Patrick Kruger, who bowl at a fast tempo, to make breakthroughs with the new ball.

South Africa Squads

South Africa

David Bedingham, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Verreynne, Keshav Maharaj, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Gerald Coetzee, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Dane Paterson.

Pakistan

Pakistan will likely opt to field two spinners in the opening clash, considering the conditions in Durban. Since June 2024, Usman Khan has been in solid form for the team in T20 cricket, scoring 103 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 121.17. Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Muqeem are expected to be their primary spin options for this game. 

PAK depends on power-hitter Irfan Khan, captain Muhammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Salman Agha, and explosive opener Saim Ayub to provide the majority of the runs in the batting department. The team will be depending on bowlers like Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem, who are a pace trio, to make early breakthroughs with the new ball.

Pakistan Squads

Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Irfan Khan, Omair Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan, Salman Agha, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.

South Africa vs Pakistan outfield report

Kingsmead, Durban

For teams batting second, Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban has proven to be an excellent location. Since 2012, chasing teams have won six of ten games played here. On this surface, both captains will be eager to win the toss and bowl first.

At the beginning of the game, rain is predicted. With the new ball, the wicket might have something to offer the bowlers.   

RSA vs PAK Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

RSA won one of their five games, while PAK won four.

South Africa vs Pakistan Prediction

Cricket analysts predict South Africa has a 51% chance of winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.