BIRMINGHAM: Handed defeats in their respective tournament-openers, Pakistan and South Africa would be fighting to stay alive in the ICC Champions Trophy when they take on each other in their second group B match today.
While Pakistan lost their opening match to the West Indies in a low-scoring cliffhanger, South Africa were beaten by India by 26 runs.
Today’s match will be a shootout of sorts for both the teams and it is the South Africans, who are looking more vulnerable, despite the well-known unpredictability of the Pakistanis.
The Proteas are faced with the challenge of playing Pakistan without two of their main strike bowlers as Morne Morkel has gone back home due to injury.
South Africa are set to to be without Steyn once again at the Champions Trophy today.
Steyn, widely regarded as the best fast bowler currently in world cricket, missed the Proteas’ opening 26-run Group B defeat by India in Cardiff on Thursday with a side strain.
And South Africa captain AB de Villiers, speaking to reporters at Edgbaston yesterday, was pessimistic about Steyn’s chances of facing Pakistan.
“The final decision hasn’t been made yet, but it’s not looking good,” de Villiers said. “The chances are he’ll only be ready for the last one (South Africa’s final group match against the West Indies in Cardiff on June 14).
“We are still hanging on to that last little bit of hope he could wake up tomorrow (Monday) morning and do a bit of a fitness test and look good for the game, but it’s not looking good at all.”
Newcomer Chris Morris is almost certain to make his ODI debut against Pakistan. Morris replaced Morkel, who was forced to return home due to a groin injury against India.
“I’ve been with this team for two years. Morne has been injured once and Dale has never been injured. Now it’s come together. That’s a curveball,” admitted South Africa coach Gary Kirsten.
Pakistan may not have injury concerns to deal with, but Misbah-ul-Haq still has plenty of worries on his plate.
Misbah was the lone batsman to put up a semblance of fight against the West Indies with a 96 not out after coming in at No. 5. He has since pleaded with his batsmen to play with more responsibility and stay on for at least the entire 50 overs.
“...even after losing three wickets (for 15 runs) at one stage, the game was under control, but then we made mistakes. So it’s just about taking responsibility and taking the games to the end. The batsmen need to be more responsible and just carry on,” said Misbah.
What Pakistan took confidence from was their bowling show which stifled the Windies, who made a hash of the chase before winning by two wickets.
“I think the biggest positive from this game was our bowling. All the seamers bowled really well and bowled their heart out and took wickets. And at one time we were really in the hunt, so it’s really a big positive, and it just creates pressure on the opposition,” Misbah said.
If Pakistan manage to give their best in batting, they have a good chance of knocking out the 1998 champions.
Teams (from):
South Africa: AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, M. Irfan, Asad Ali, Wahab Riaz, Umer Amin, Abdul Rehman, Ehsan Adil.agencies
