PAK vs SA 2nd T20 Match Prediction, Preview, Playing11, Pitch and Weather Report

PAK vs SA 2nd T20 Match Preview – With their backs against the wall, Pakistan will be desperate to level the series when they take on a confident South Africa in the second T20 International at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, October 31st. The visitors, despite fielding a young squad, delivered a stunning and comprehensive performance in the first T20I to take a 1-0 lead, leaving the hosts with much to ponder.

South Africa’s 55-run victory in the series opener at Rawalpindi was a showcase of their depth. Reeza Hendricks’ sublime half-century, coupled with an all-round masterclass from George Linde (36 runs and 3 wickets) and a fiery spell from Corbin Bosch (4/14), completely dismantled the Pakistani side. The hosts, led by Salman Agha, were outplayed in all three departments. A top-order collapse, including a duck for the returning Babar Azam, set them back, and not even a fighting knock from Mohammad Nawaz could prevent a heavy defeat.

Now, the action shifts to Lahore, a venue known for its high-scoring encounters. For Pakistan, this is a must-win game to keep the series alive. They will need their senior players, especially Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, to step up and lead from the front. For Donovan Ferreira’s young Proteas, this is a golden opportunity to seal an unexpected and highly impressive series victory away from home.

PAK vs SA 2nd T20 Match Details

PAK vs SA Head-to-Head

The T20I rivalry between these two nations has been historically neck-and-neck. However, after their dominant win in the first T20I, South Africa has edged ahead in the overall count.

PAK vs SA Pitch Report

The surface at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is renowned as a batter’s paradise. The pitch is typically flat, offering reliable bounce and pace, which allows batsmen to play their strokes with confidence. The quick outfield further aids in boundary-hitting, and high-scoring games are a common feature here. Bowlers will find little assistance, and their only recourse will be to rely on pinpoint accuracy and variations in pace. The captain winning the toss will likely prefer to chase, given the venue’s reputation and the potential for dew later in the evening.

PAK vs SA Weather Report

Cricket fans are in for a treat as the weather forecast for Lahore on Friday evening is perfect. The forecast predicts a “clear” night with a 0% chance of rain, ensuring a full, uninterrupted match. The temperature is expected to be pleasant, hovering around the low 20s (Celsius) during game time, with low humidity.

PAK vs SA Probable Playing11

Pakistan (PAK): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan (w), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

South Africa (SA): Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (w), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.

PAK vs SA Squads

Pakistan Squad: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha(c), Usman Khan(w), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq, Abdul Samad.

South Africa Squad: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock(w), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira(c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman, Andile Simelane, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

PAK vs SA Match Prediction

South Africa will be brimming with confidence after their clinical victory in the first match. Their batters, led by the in-form Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock, will relish the batting-friendly conditions in Lahore. Furthermore, their bowlers, especially Corbin Bosch and George Linde, showed they could be effective even on unresponsive pitches.

Pakistan, on the other hand, is under immense pressure. Their batting lineup, which looks formidable on paper, failed to fire in unison. The return of Babar Azam was unsuccessful, and the middle order looked fragile. The onus will be on their world-class pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, to make early inroads and put pressure on the South African top order.

While Pakistan has the home advantage and the individual talent to bounce back, South Africa’s all-round performance and fearless approach in the first T20I make them the slight favorites. If Pakistan’s top order fails to provide a solid start again, the Proteas have the bowling attack to capitalize and seal the series.

Prediction: South Africa to win.