Match: South Africa v Pakistan, 4th ODI (5 match series)
Series: South Africa lead 2 – 1
Venue: Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa.
Date and time: 21st March, 2013 130:00 PST/08:00 GMT
Overall Rivalry: Dominance; South Africa 40 wins, Pakistan 19 wins
Weather Report: Sunny sky with a warm breeze is expected in Durban. With the temperature hovering in mid 20 Celsius and humidity at 72%, it should be an absorbing day out on the field.
Ground Report: Durban has a sizeable sub-continental population which will be looking forward to its first game this summer, after the T-20 game against Pakistan was washed out. Kingsmead is a low scoring ground where the ball is known for not coming on to the bat. With high humidity there should be some swing up front for the two new white balls and grip and turn for the spinners later in the innings.
Game On: With plenty of crowd support expected for the visitors, they will play on a strip that is as close to home as they will get in South Africa. Pakistan will hope to take this series to a decider on Sunday.
The game, which gives them an opportunity to stay alive in the series, could not have come at a better venue than Kingsmead. Last time Pakistan faced South Africa here, Younis Khan scored a brisk 93 and Shahid Afridi smashed 77 runs of just 35 balls which included six sixes. Pakistan amassed 351 runs and then bundled the Proteas for 210 in 40 overs; Afridi picked up three wickets and Shoaib Malik chipped in with two. This match will definitely be recapped in their team meeting and retold by its surviving heroes from 2007.
The pitch that does not offer much bounce will come as a relief to the Pakistani batsmen but they will need to be cautious of swing at the start of their innings.
Young Asad Shafiq and talented Umar Akmal are not being able to find their place in the starting line up but the pressure on the current outfit is building up fast. Younis Khan has looked out of place in the ODI series but with his experience, he might just retain his spot in the team. Though, in current form, he will not for too long.
Wahab Riaz, who looked out of sorts in the previous game, will be hoping to get another chance due to fitness concerns to Umer Gul and Mohammad Irfan. Playing for the Lions, Sohail Tanvir has been in good nick with both bat and ball in the South African domestic circuit and has been added as back up. Pakistan will be expected to play a combination of three fast bowlers out of the possible four.
South Africa have their own concerns with Faf du Plessis ruled out due to a bad back, giving a chance to either David Miller or Quinton de Kock for a knock in the middle. The strength and experience of the South Africans will remain with Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith and their captain Ab de Villiers.
Game Changer: Pakistan’s trump card over the past few years has shifted from its pace bowling battery to its spin bowling arsenal. South African conditions have so far neutralised the trio of Afridi, Hafeez and Ajmal but the wicket at Kingsmead should lighten up their eyes. The middle overs of the South African innings could be momentous to the outcome of this game.
Pre-Game Talk: “Younis Khan has also struggled in ODI cricket while Shoaib Malik has also not been consistent. I think the PCB needs to think about the future. Those who are not performing consistently now and can’t finish big matches, must be replaced,” Moin Khan is building pressure on his former teammates.
"Irfan and Wahab haven't played many games even though they are definitely all quality. But if we get partnerships going again, we can exploit that inexperience," Hashim Amla is warning the Pakistani bowlers of a repeat performance.
Last XI Fielded South Africans: Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers (wk, capt), Colin Ingram, Faf du Plessis, Farhaan Behardien, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Last XI Fielded Pakistanis: Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wk), Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan.
Possible Changes:
South Africa: David Miller or Quinton de Kock is expected to replace Faf du Plessis.
Pakistan: In typical Pakistani disarray, they could play a combination of any of their 17 men on tour. Opener’s position, middle order and bowling slots are perhaps all up for grabs.
Imran Farhat could replace the out of form Nasir Jamshed while Umar Akmal and Asad Shafiq could come in place of either Younis Khan or Shoaib Malik.
Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul are all doubtful starters but any one of them could find a spot. For good measure we can throw in Abdur Rehman and give him an outside chance also, the best one he will get on an expected Kingsmead turner.
Safety first, Misbah-ul-Haq will however avoid making too many changes.
Final Words: Pakistan is down to the final revolution of their bumpy ride in the South African summer, so far they have little to show for, other than their wins in the T20 and the ODI at Centurion. Durban will give Pakistan their final chance to make a meaningful impression on this tour; it’s the last call for Pakistan.