Pakistan is all set to take on the South Africa in Match 26 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 on Friday, October 27 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both the teams have a star-studded squad that can change the course of the game with their abilities. South Africa is the favourite to win this encounter against Pakistan.
Pakistan and South Africa have a fierce rivalry in the format. Both teams have played 82 ODI matches, with Pakistan winning 30 games and Sri Lanka winning 51 games so far in the head to head encounters. In this article, we will take a look at the key player battles to watch out for in the match 26 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 between Pakistan and South Africa.
Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Pakistan vs South Africa Today Match Possible Playing 11
Here are three player battles to watch out for during PAK vs SA match:
1) Rassie van der Dussen vs Hassan Ali
A critical showdown between South Africa’s middle-order stalwart, Rassie van der Dussen, and the pacey deliveries of Hassan Ali. Their previous encounters have seen van der Dussen amassing 36 runs off 55 balls with one dismissal. The battle between Ali’s variations and van der Dussen’s adaptability promises to be decisive.
2) Babar Azam vs Kagiso Rabada
The linchpin of Pakistan’s batting, Babar Azam, faces off against South Africa’s premier fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada. Babar has accumulated 85 runs from 109 balls against Rabada, falling to him once. Their clash showcases the elegance of Babar pitted against Rabada’s express pace and aggression, making it a thrilling contest for fans.
3) Quinton de Kock vs Shaheen Afridi
South African dynamo Quinton de Kock takes on the young Pakistani pace spearhead, Shaheen Afridi. In their previous encounters, de Kock has notched up 69 runs off 75 balls, but Afridi has managed to dismiss him twice. With de Kock’s aggressive intent against the new ball and Afridi’s early swing abilities, this battle promises to be mouth-watering.