Babar Azam: World Cup: Babar Azam’s captaincy at stake as Pakistan face must-win clash against South Africa | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Babar Azam‘s captaincy hangs within the steadiness as Pakistan put together to tackle South Africa in an important World Cup match on Friday. With a string of three defeats, a fourth loss would all however seal Pakistan’s exit from the event, and it might additionally spell the top of Babar’s captaincy.
For Pakistan, the highway forward is treacherous, they usually should safe victories in all remaining matches whereas hoping for Australia to stumble in a minimum of two of their forthcoming video games to maintain their semi-final aspirations alive.The unpredictability of the Pakistan cricket staff is a widely known side of world cricket, the place they will ship brilliance someday and falter embarrassingly the following.
Babar Azam, the captain, is beneath immense strain to guide his staff with distinction in opposition to a formidable South African aspect. The efficiency hole between the 2 groups has been evident, although South Africa suffered a stunning defeat in opposition to the Netherlands.South Africa’s top-order batsmen, together with Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen, have constantly proven their batting prowess by hitting boundaries and sixes. In stark distinction, Pakistan’s batting strategy has left them struggling, notably when it comes to boundary-hitting.
The struggles don’t finish with Pakistan’s batting; their bowling division has been removed from potent. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s customary nip-backers have been lacking in motion, and the effectiveness of Haris Rauf within the 50-over format is beneath scrutiny. Hasan Ali’s lack of ability to penetrate the opposition’s defences has additionally been a priority.

One in all Pakistan’s major weaknesses has been the dearth of high quality spinners. The performances of Usama Mir and Shadab Khan have did not make a major affect.
In stark distinction, South Africa discover themselves in a beneficial place, and a victory on this match would put them firmly in rivalry for a semi-final spot.
De Kock, South Africa’s opening batsman, has been in sensational kind, main the event’s run-scoring charts. Their tempo bowlers, together with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee, have been ruthless, making it a difficult activity for Pakistan’s batters to counter them, even on the slower Chepauk floor.
By way of head-to-head data, South Africa preserve a 51-30 benefit within the 82 clashes with Pakistan. This high-stakes match will form the future of each groups within the World Cup, with the way forward for Babar Azam’s captaincy hanging within the steadiness.

Squads
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen and Lizaad Williams.
Match begins: 2 pm IST.
(With inputs from PTI)