Pakistan batsmen Vs South African bowlers in T20 World Cup

28 September, 2012

The super eight contest of the T20 World Cup brings quality to the table and the same can be expected when Pakistan and South Africa walk into the Premadasa Stadium, Colombo in Sri Lanka for their lively encounter.

THE TWO teams from group two of the super eight stage, Pakistan and South Africa, are scheduled to play later today at the Premadasa Stadium, Colombo in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Pakistan, the winners of the 2009 T20 World Cup, has always been a strong side in the shortest format of the game. South Africa on the other hand always had all the quality players in the squad but tends to fail when it comes to crunch games. No wonder, they have been given the chokers tag of international cricket.

In the group matches played so far, South Africa has been impressive as they won both their matches against Zimbabwe and the hosts, Sri Lanka as well, which is not an easy task. The same goes for the Pakistani side, who also won both its matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh. Both teams should not worry about the confidence level after clinical victories.

Pakistan has always had a strong bunch of talented players in the squad and if it is their day there is no other team in world cricket that can outsettle this bunch of players. But, their main problem lies in inconsistency. Though Pakistan have a great bowling line up in the form Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Afridi, and Mohammed Hafeez - still they have conceded more than 160 runs in both the group stage matches so far. Had it not been for the batting exploits of Imran Nazir, Mohammed Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, the Pakistan players could have found themselves in a big problem.

The South African bowlers namely the Morkel brothers, Dale Steyn, Kallis and Botha would not give any freebies like those given by the Kiwis and the Bangladeshi bowlers. The South African team is a well balanced side with good top order players along with strong all rounders and a top bowling attack. Batsmen such as AB De Villiers, Hashim Amla, and Richard Levi are strong enough batsmen to change the course of the game, if the need arises. This team seems to be in no mood to choke in this championship. Only time will tell.

The match between the two sides may well be between South African bowlers vs Pakistan bowlers. But, in order to win the game, both teams need to showcase their skills in all departments of the game – batting, bowling and fielding.