Dynamite News Pakistan face Proteas in must-win Champions Trophy match
Pakistan will aim to bounce back from their humiliating defeat against India when they take on South Africa in their penultimate Champions Trophy.
Birmingham: Pakistan will aim to bounce back from their humiliating defeat against India when they take on South Africa in their penultimate Champions Trophy clash at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground here on Wednesday.
The Sarfraz Ahmed-led side failed to have a dream start in the eight-team marquee tournament as they slumped to a huge 124-run defeat against title-holders India at the same venue on Sunday.
Pakistan will now be desperate for the win to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
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However, they will be without their fast bowler Wahab Riaz after he was ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to an ankle injury he sustained while bowling during India's innings. Rumman Raees was roped in the squad as a replacement for the injured fast bowler.
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Top-ranked ODI side South Africa, on the other hand, are too far away from all these worries after registering a comfortable 96-run win over Sri Lanka in their opening Group B fixture at the Kennington Oval on Saturday.
Here are some facts about the two sides:
· Pakistan have won three of their last four ODIs against South Africa, this coming on the back of just one victory in their previous seven encounters.
· South Africa have won both previous meetings with Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, including a 67-run win at Edgbaston in 2013 (also in Mohali in 2006).
· South Africa have secured wins in both their previous Champions Trophy games at Edgbaston (Pakistan in 2013, Bangladesh in 2004).
· Overall South Africa have lost just twice in seven ODIs at the venue in Birmingham.
· South Africa have claimed victories in 16 of their last 20 ODI matches ; Pakistan meanwhile have just two wins in their last seven outings.
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· Of the 27 batsmen to score 1,000 ODI runs against Pakistan, AB de Villiers has the best average against them (61.9).
· In fact, AB de Villiers has scored more runs in ODI matches between South Africa and Pakistan than any other batsman (1423).
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Squads:
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fahim Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik
South Africa: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock†, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, KA Maharaj, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada.(ANI)