It's a must game for Pakistan, and they must defeat a powerful and fiery South African onslaught that has just destroyed India. Pakistan's problems in this tournament can be boiled down to the fact that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the two cornerstones of their batting team, have struggled.
ICC T20 World Cup: legend Sachin Tendulkar predicts semi-finalists
If the defeat against India was a hard pill to swallow, the thrilling conclusion against Zimbabwe, where they emerged as losers. Their first victory in this format in Australia was against the Netherlands, and it was a resounding victory.
🚨 TOSSALERT 🚨
Pakistan wins toss and chooses to bat first 🏏#WeHaveWeWill | #T20WorldCup | #PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/9Zxzheu30f
- Pakistani cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 3, 2022
Pakistan hadn't expected their tournament to start with two tight defeats, so now they have to win their crucial game against South Africa and hope other teams can help them.
Pakistan's future is uncertain.
Although Babar Azam and his team's chances of qualifying for the semi-finals are diminishing, they are still mathematically in contention.
First and foremost they must beat South Africa on Thursday. If they lose this match, their chances of qualification are lost.
If Pakistan beat the Proteas then they will have to defeat Bangladesh in their fifth and final game, preferably by a big margin to give them a good final NRR just in case that proves to be the deciding factor.
Pakistan would then need help.
T20 World Cup 2022 points table update: Group A and Group B
Form Guide:
(last five games completed, most recent first)
South Africa WWWLL
Pakistan:WLLWW
Statistics:
- Pakistan have a 3-0 winning record against South Africa at the T20 World Cup, even though they last met in 2012.
- The average first-leg score in Sydney at this tournament so far is 188, the highest of the venues used.
November 3: Pakistan v South Africa, SCG, Sydney
November 6: South Africa – Netherlands, Adelaide Oval
November 6: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Adelaide Oval
6 November: Zimbabwe v India, MCG, Melbourne
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