South Africa vs Pakistan Preview: Team News & Prediction | 1st Test
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Pakistan will hope to use the momentum gained from an excellent ODI series performance to good effect against South Africa across this past season.
Date/Time: Thursday December 26th 2024: US PST – 12:00am / US EST – 3:00am / UK – 8:00pm
Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa
Weather: A chance of thunderstorms over the course of this Test, especially during the opening two days.
How To Watch On TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Willow TV
How To Watch Online: UK – Sky Go / US – Willow TV
South Africa Form: Maharaj in a race to be passed fit
On the hunt for a fifth Test victory in a row over the past two months, South Africa may well be without their star spinner. Keshav Maharaj missed the third ODI with a left adductor strain and the same injury could keep him out of this one, leaving Dane Piedt as the Proteas’ most likely spin option. Fast bowlers Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Gerald Coetzee are all out injured.
LAST THREE: WWW
Pakistan Form: Momentum firmly with visitors
Pakistan were fantastic across the 50-over matches, winning all three games and their last red ball foray saw them come from behind to beat England 2-1 back in October. Against an injury-hit opponent, this serves as a big opportunity for the tourists to pick up what would be a statement victory away from home.
LAST THREE: WWL
South Africa Betting Analysis
Batter Tristan Stubbs has enjoyed a really promising introduction to Test match cricket in the latter quarter of the year and one of his most recent red ball innings for the Proteas saw him strike a wonderful 122 against Sri Lanka. He also boasts a century vs Bangladesh not so long ago and has done enough to earn the attention of bettors here, who should consider backing Stubbs to score over 62.5 match runs across this Test.
Pakistan Betting Analysis
As Pakistan’s quickest bowling option for this first Test, Naseem Shah could well be given the new ball, which could increase his chances of a high wickets tally. Naseem has showed significant promise in the pace when it comes to the red ball game and this serves as a big chance for him to live up to his high billing. Back Naseem to gain 5+ wickets across the contest.
South Africa vs Pakistan Expert Prediction
South Africa would normally be favourites here but the spate of injuries across their bowling attack really levels the playing field. Pakistan are hard to predict in this form of the game having shown the best and worst of themselves against England. In the end, a high-scoring encounter may be on the cards and when taking into account the weather forecast, there is significant value here in backing the draw.
South Africa vs Pakistan Tip: Draw
