Pakistan v South Africa 1st T20 Live Cricket Match Streaming 2013

The last time Pakistan played a T20 in South Africa was at the World T20 final, when the sub-continent side lost to rivals India by five runs.

Pakistan vs South Africa 1st T20 Live Streaming – Link 1

Pakistan vs South Africa 1st T20 Live Streaming – Link 2

While some members will certainly still carry scars from a chastening Test series, the infusion of some new faces in their T20 squad for this evening’s game against the Proteas  at Kingsmead has already helped lift the mood in the Pakistan camp.

“It’s a new format and new teams involved. We’re quite excited,” remarked skipper Mohammed Hafeez. 

“Whether we win or lose in this short series is not really all that important, it’s really more about the way we play our cricket. We want to put up a good show.” 

Perhaps the tempered expectations on the tourists’ part is an act of self-preservation but it probably also works in their favour because the mystery factor could render an equally burgeoning but not proven Proteas outfit. 

Interestingly, the presence of the Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umar, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik actually render this line-up far more experienced than the Test combination. 

“There’s a lot more wisdom in this side. Many of our team members have played for many years now. We’re very much thinking along the lines that if we can do well in this series it could be a springboard for a good showing in the limited overs,” noted Hafeez. 

It shouldn’t be forgotten that the tourists are previous holders of the World Cup as well as finishing runners-up twice, meaning they take themselves rather seriously in the shortest version of the game. 

But they’ll need their captain to lead from the front after a shocking Test series where he only made 43 runs in six innings. 

“You’ll experience these bad patches from time to time,” lamented Hafeez. 

“But I’m working very hard in the nets and I also look forward to contributing with the ball though that role will depend on the balance of the side. Sometimes we have too many options, meaning I won’t necessarily bowl.”