PAK vs SA: Pakistan playing XI vs South Africa, Match 26, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – Predicted

Pakistan will face South Africa in match No. 26 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Pakistan had an impressive start to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with two wins, including the highest-ever successful World Cup chase. But then they faced India, suffered a horrible loss, and couldn't recover from it. Pakistan have now lost three consecutive games, and one more defeat will close their door to the semi-finals.

And to make it even harder, they will be facing the powerful South African side that are beating the oppositions by over 100 runs in recently concluded matches. It will be a hard challenge for Pakistan, but they have always done well when they are pinned back on the wall. So let's check out the predicted playing XI for Pakistan against South Africa in Chennai on Friday.

PAK vs SA: Pakistan's Predicted playing XI vs South Africa

1. Abdullah Shafique :

Pakistan hit two sixes in the first powerplay after 1200 balls in ODI cricket, and it was Abdullah Shafique who hit those shots. The right-hander seems to have grabbed the opportunity he got in Fakhar Zaman's absence and has been scoring runs in almost every game. He has scored 255 runs in four innings at an average of 63.55. He is expected to give his team another good start against South Africa.

2. Fakhar Zaman :

Fakhar Zaman has been out since the very first match against Netherlands. He was also not fit to feature in the recent matches, but some reports confirmed that he is fit and will replace Imam-ul-Haq at the top. Though Fakhar hasn't been in good form, this could be the innings that can change everything. He can be the X-factor at the top, he can smash any good bowling attack.

3. Babar Azam :

Babar Azam needs no introduction in this format, as he has been at the top of the rankings for almost three years now. He even scored 74 runs in the last game and looked good. With everything on the line, everyone expects him to score a big knock and take his team to victory. Babar has scored 157 runs so far with two half-centuries.

4. Mohammad Rizwan (WK) :

Mohammad Rizwan has been the best batter for Pakistan in this tournament. The keeper batter has scored 302 runs in five innings at an average and strike rate of 75.50 and 95.87. He has always performed whenever his team needs him, and that is what was expected one more time in this must-win clash in Chennai.

5. Saud Shakeel :

Pakistan struggled to find a consistent batter in the middle-order, but with Saud Shakeel, that role is looking complete. The left-hander has been among the runs so far. He has scored 160 runs at a strike rate of 101.91. His role will be to take the innings together and cash in in the final overs to take the team to a big total or chase.

6. Iftikhar Ahmed :

Iftikhar Ahmed is currently the biggest power-hitter in the Pakistani team. He is the one that can change the scenario of the game in the final overs, as seen in the game against Afghanistan. He has scored 101 runs at a strike rate of 140.27, which speaks volumes about his performance, but his team should use him in the top-order to utilize him more.

7. Shadab Khan :

Shadab Khan was the man of the match when Pakistan beat South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, but that was a different format. However, he is capable of something similar. Though his form is not good, anything can change on the day, and he will also be eager to perform well for his team.

8. Usama Mir :

There was a lot of talk about Usama Mir when he was not getting the chance, but he hasn't done justice to his stature on the domestic circuit. He is more than a capable bowler than his current stats suggest and has a number of variations that can trouble South African batters in Chennai.

9. Shaheen Afridi :

Shaheen Afridi has been the strike bowler for Pakistan for the last two overs or so. He is also among the wickets in this tournament. He has taken ten wickets in five games at an average of 25.10. But one thing that is lacking is his ability to strike with the new ball which has been one reason for Pakistan's recent success. To stop South Africa, Shaheen's role will be crucial, and he will be looking to strike with the new ball.

10. Hasan Ali :

Hasan Ali has been a consistent bowler so far and the most economical one on this team. He has taken eight wickets in five innings so far and even had a decent spell against Afghanistan in Chennai, where he was getting reverse swing. That will be expected of him if Shaheen is struggling with the new ball, it will be Hasan who should take more responsibility.

11. Haris Rauf :

No pacer who is bowling over 150 km/h has been spared in this tournament, which is also the story for Haris Rauf. Though he has taken eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.97, He has bowled well in patches, but not consistently enough. He has the pace to trouble the batters, but if he can bowl in the right areas, he can be the one to strike for Pakistan.