Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd T20 Live Streaming | March 3, 2013

What started off initially as a 2 match T20 series between hosts South Africa and Pakistan has now turned into a 1 match shootout to decide the series, ahead of the 5 match ODI series that begins in a week’s time.

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

Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd T20 Live Streaming – Link 2

After having lost the test series rather comprehensively, the Pakistanis will be a desperate to make their mark in the shorter formats on the tour, ones that they can be more competitive and threatening in the rainbow nation.

The 2nd and only T20 between the two sides will be played at Centurion on March 3rd and visitors Pakistan, despite having lost the tests will be confident of a good showing against what looks like an inexperienced Proteas squad in stark contrast to their test team that looked a far more settled one. 

South Africa will be happy to play in Centurion for the surfaces there are usually very suited to their style of play. There could be quite a bit in it for the quicks, which is a bit unusual for a T20 game but South Africa do not have the menacing duo of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, that would most definitely have tested the Pakistani batsmen. Instead they will go in with a relatively inexperienced attack likely to comprise of Lonwabo Tsotsoble, Kyle Abbot and Ryan Mclaren. Should the pitch look favourable to the seamers on the day of the match, we could also see a 4th seamer in the form of young Chris Morris play in the XI. Robin Peterson will be the spin bowling all-rounder in the side, who will also probably have to shoulder the spin bowling responsibilities by himself.

South Africa’s batting will be led from the front by their newly appointed skipper Faf du Plessis, who is likely to open with keeper batsman Quinton de Kock. The middle order looks a bit short on international experience with the expection of the unmistakable AB de Villiers. Rookie batsman Henry Davids and the inconsistent David Miller will have to stand up and be counted in key positions in the middle order. Farhan Behardien will probably play at No.6, given his reputation of being a composed finisher under pressure. Seam bowler Rory Kleinveldt may have to sit out this game to make way for Morris but may also be in contention for the 3rd seamer spot.

Should the pitch play as expected and offer quite a bit for the quickies, Pakistan could match their opponents player for player in the fast bowling department if not better them. The likes of Junaid Khan, Mohammed Irfan and Umar Gul can be menacing in helpful conditions and could be a handful along with the wily spin of Saeed Ajmal, who will be very difficult to get away.

Pakistan’s major problem though has been the consistency with their batting for a long time now. Although skipper Mohammed Hafeez and co. have the wherewithal and the skill to make good scores they have faltered many a time when required.A few of their deficiencies could be hidden in the T20 format though as they are free to express themselves as a batting unit a lot more. The likes of Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal and Shahid Afridi will be given the license to thrill and could do plenty of damage with their power packed stroke play while the calm heads of Nasir Jamshed and Shoaib Malik will provide the stability to the batting unit.