Big Picture
Pakistan have never won a bilateral series against South Africa despite
coming close a number of times. Four times out of six, the two teams
have gone on to the last match with the fate of the series in the
balance, only for South Africa to come out trumps every time. However,
with their experienced limited-overs names back in the squad, Pakistan
would feel they have a chance to topple a South African side not having
its best year in ODIs.
South Africa have lost 10 out of their 18 matches this year, including a
series against New Zealand at home and more recently, a series in Sri
Lanka. It's the first time since 2004 that they have a win-loss ratio
less than one. Pakistan, on the other hand, have beaten India, West
Indies and Zimbabwe in bilateral series. Only four rating points
separate the two teams and a series win will help Pakistan march ahead
of South African and occupy the fifth place in ICC rankings.
There are obvious areas of concern for Pakistan. For a team that has
played more than 20 matches this year, that only three of its batsmen
have scored more than 300 runs reflects poorly on its batting.
Misbah-ul-Haq has had a stellar year, but the young batsmen on whom
Pakistan have invested haven't paid back yet. So it's another chance for
players like Ahmed Shehzad, Nasir Jamshed and Asad Shafiq to establish
themselves.
South Africa have also struggled with their batting this year despite
the presence of some experienced names and have asked Gary Kirsten to
mentor the batsmen during the ODI series. If both teams' batting follows
the trend, it could mean the bowlers will have a larger role to play in
the series, especially the spinners, of whom Pakistan are likely to
feature three in every game - Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid
Afridi.
Form guide
(last five completed games most recent first)
Pakistan WWLWW
South Africa LLWLL
Pakistan WWLWW
South Africa LLWLL
In the spotlight
Misbah-ul-Haq is the leading the ODI batting charts this year
with 961 runs at an average of 60.06. He has scored 11 half-centuries
this year, but has not been able to break the 128-match century drought.
He can be destructive with the bat, but such opportunities do not come
often, as he is mostly required to build the innings after a top-order
collapse. He would hope that the home conditions in the UAE will help
the batsmen ahead of him to at least set a platform for him in this
series.
David Miller smashed an unbeaten 96 in his last competitive
match, in the domestic one-day tournament six days ago. But he has shown
in the ODIs recently that he also has the holding game that's required
of a middle-order batsman from time to time. He is likely to get a good
run in the UAE, but he will be tested against the trio of Pakistan
spinners.
Team news
Pakistan have brought in a new set of players for the limited-overs leg,
which means it will be an entirely different top order from what
featured in Tests. Also, Umar Akmal is back in the squad after missing
the Zimbabwe series. Another addition is the left-arm seamer Sohail
Tanvir, who could be included if Pakistan opt for a three-seamer attack.
Pakistan (probable) 1 Nasir Jamshed, 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Mohammad
Hafeez, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Umar Akmal (wk), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7
Shahid Afridi, 8 Saeed Ajmal, 9 Sohail Tanvir, 10 Junaid Khan, 11
Mohammad Irfan
With Hashim Alma and Dale Steyn not available - Amla has returned home
for the birth of his child and Steyn has asked for rest - South Africa
are likely to induct a number of new joinees. AB de Villiers said on the
eve of the match that he was looking for the "tactically right"
combination to take a 1-0 lead, without revealing the plans.
South Africa (probable) 1 Colin Ingram/Quinton de Kock, 2 Graeme
Smith, 3 JP Duminy, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 Faf du Plessis, 6 David
Miller, 7 Wayne Parnell, 8 Ryan McLaren, 9 Robin Peterson, 10 Morne
Morkel, 11 Lonwabo Tsotsobe
Stats and trivia
- South Africa and Pakistan have played each other 63 times out of which Pakistan have won only 20 matches. The win-loss ratio of 0.47 is Pakistan's worst against any team
- Misbah has faced 1334 deliveries in ODIs this year. Rohit Sharma is the only other batsman to have played more than 1000
- Ryan McLaren is the leading wicket-taker this year for South African with 30 dismissals
- 211 ODIs have been played at Sharjah. Pakistan have played in 112 of them, while South Africa have only played 10