South Africa’s T20 squad, led by Heinrich Klaasen, prepares to face Pakistan in Durban just after their Test victory over Sri Lanka. This series includes three T20s and three ODIs before two Tests against Pakistan. The lineup will see significant changes from the Test team, with notable players missing, while Pakistan arrives with strong recent performances in white-ball cricket.
In a significant transition following their recent Test victory over Sri Lanka, South Africa’s focus swiftly shifts to the T20 series against Pakistan. While a separate squad, led by Heinrich Klaasen, prepares in Pretoria, the T20 team will head to Durban for the first match on Tuesday, shortly after South Africa’s Test success. This series marks the commencement of six white-ball fixtures, consisting of three T20 internationals and three one-day internationals, before Pakistan engages South Africa in two Test matches.
Most of South Africa’s Test players will not participate in the T20 series, with only Ryan Rickelton joining the squad. Other potential players who could contribute if the team were at full strength include regular white-ball captain Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Kagiso Rabada, and Marco Jansen. Pakistan, too, is expected to see changes in their lineup, with white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan, alongside Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha, being the only common players in all formats.
South Africa’s white-ball coach, Rob Walter, has recruited fast bowler Anrich Nortje and wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi for the T20 series. Although both players previously excelled during the T20 World Cup, contributing to South Africa’s final appearance, they have chosen to forgo national contracts to participate in franchise leagues globally. Walter faces mounting pressure, having seen South Africa’s lackluster performance in recent bilateral series, with five defeats and two draws in seven so far, often missing key players.
On the other hand, Pakistan is coming off a victorious white-ball tour in Zimbabwe and aims to sustain their momentum. Their bowling lineup will feature fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who are absent from the Test squad. Additionally, left-arm wrist spinner Sufyan Moqim, a standout performer in Zimbabwe’s second T20I, will also be a key asset.
The upcoming T20 series between South Africa and Pakistan follows closely on the heels of South Africa’s Test triumph against Sri Lanka. This series serves as the opening act for a total of six white-ball matches, including T20s and ODIs, intended to set both teams up for their subsequent Test engagements. The challenge lies in balancing team changes across formats while both countries seek to solidify their white-ball strategies and prove themselves in limited-overs formats, especially after varying degrees of success in recent matches.
In summary, the South African team is pivoting swiftly from a Test series to a T20 assignment against Pakistan, with significant alterations to the players involved. This series will provide an opportunity for South Africa to address their recent struggles in white-ball cricket while Pakistan aims to build upon their recent successes. As both teams prepare for a series filled with potential, the performances of key players will be crucial.
Original Source: sportstar.thehindu.com
