Reddy Anna Book We are in the third game of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2025. Hosts Pakistan will lock horns with South Africa in a virtual knockout clash. Both teams lost their respective games against New Zealand, and the winner of this game will take on the Kiwis in the final. It will be an important game for both teams on the eve of the Champion’s Trophy later this month.

The Pakistanis will take inspiration from their recent record against South Africa. They have won four times between the two teams in the last five games. South Africans have a history of struggling on these slow and turning tracks and shall look to overcome this shortcoming. A lot is riding on this game for both teams, and we expect a close contest.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

Mohammad Rizwan and his men must solve many problems days before the Champion’s Trophy. It was a poor show from the team in their opening game against New Zealand, where they lost by 78 runs. The bowlers bowled poorly in the death overs, and the batting lineup failed to impress on a good wicket. They must win this game to reach the final, and Rizwan would like a strong comeback from his players.

Fakhar Zaman announced his return to the national team with a good knock, but he will need support from the out-of-form Babar Azam at the other end. The middle order failed to impress against New Zealand. They need runs from Kamran Ghulam, Rizwan, and Salman Agha. The lower middle order has good hitters, and the team expects Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, and Shaheen Afridi to do well.

The bowling attack failed to deliver on expected lines in the last game. Shaheen Afridi struggled with his line and must overcome this and pick early wickets with Naseem Shah. Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed looked good in the last game and must do well in the middle overs. The team will expect a good show in this game from Khushdil and Salman Agha in the supporting role.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Khushdil Shah, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

South Africa Preview

Temba Bavuma will be upset with the six-wicket loss against New Zealand in the last game. They put up a dominating show with the bat in the first half of their innings but finished at least 30 runs short of the intended target. The bowling attack struggled to use the conditions. As they take on the hosts in a knockout contest, Bavuma expects a better show from his players.

Matthew Breetzke smashed a brilliant hundred in the last game and will look to repeat a similar show at the top with Temba Bavuma. Kyle Verreynne will look to do well in the middle order and add runs with Wiaan Mulder and Heinrich Klaasen. The side will expect runs in the lower middle order from Senuran Muthusamy and Eathan Bosch.

The bowling attack will look to recover from the poor show in the last game. The teams need early strikes in this game from Lungi Ngidi and Eathan Bosch. Wiaan Mulder did well in the last game and will look to bowl tight spells in the middle overs with Junior Dala and Senuran Muthusamy. Mihlali Mpongwana and Tabraiz Shamsi strengthen this attack with their variety.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Eathan Bosch, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We expect clear skies over Karachi and a great batting performance. Batsmen can play their strokes freely on this track as the ball hits the bat hard. There will be little for the bowlers in this game. The average first innings score is 290 runs in the last five years. The side batting first must have over 320 on the board.

PAK vs RSA Pitch Report

National Stadium Karachi is known for being a batsman’s paradise. The outfield is quick, which allows for easy run-scoring for the batsmen. Bowlers, especially the fast bowlers, have always found it challenging to bowl here. It is a good venue for the spinners, as the ball occasionally takes sharp turns.

Toss: To Bowl

Defending scores is a massive challenge in Karachi once the dew sets in the evening. As past games have shown, gripping the ball is difficult in the second half. The side that wins the toss in this game will look to play it safe by bowling first.