The second Test of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa is set to take place from January 3 to January 7, 2025, at the picturesque Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town. Known for its breathtaking backdrop of Table Mountain, Newlands promises a high-octane clash between two cricketing giants.
Match Overview
- Fixture: SA vs PAK 2nd Test, Pakistan Tour of South Africa 2024-25
- Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
- Date & Time: January 03 – January 07, 10:30 AM LOCAL
- Live Streaming: Available on Atv, Ten Sports, and FanCode
With South Africa leading in head-to-head encounters, Pakistan will aim to level the series, making this match a must-watch.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report
The Newlands pitch traditionally offers something for everyone:
- Days 1-2: Expect assistance for fast bowlers with good seam movement and bounce, especially during morning sessions.
- Days 3-5: Spinners come into play as the surface deteriorates, offering variable bounce and turn. Batting could become challenging, particularly for the lower order.
Weather Forecast
- Days 1-2: Sunny to partly cloudy, with temperatures between 26°C and 28°C (79°F to 82°F). Afternoon winds might test both batters and bowlers.
- Days 3-5: Mildly warm with occasional cloud cover. A brief shower is possible in the evening, which could influence pitch behavior.
Team Analysis
South Africa
Strengths:
- A world-class pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Marco Jansen, well-suited to Newlands’ seam-friendly conditions.
- A solid middle order with experienced players like Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham.
Weaknesses:
- Overreliance on home conditions.
- Vulnerability against high-quality spin in the latter stages of the match.
Key Players: Kagiso Rabada (bowling), Temba Bavuma (batting), Anrich Nortje (bowling).
Pakistan
Strengths:
- A balanced bowling attack featuring the pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Abbas.
- Experienced batters like Babar Azam, who is in exceptional form, supported by Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel.
Weaknesses:
- Limited experience on South African pitches.
- Dependence on pacers to deliver breakthroughs early in the innings.
Key Players: Babar Azam (batting), Naseem Shah (bowling), Yasir Shah (spin).
SA vs PAK Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 27
- South Africa Wins: 17
- Pakistan Wins: 4
- Draws: 6
South Africa has historically dominated Pakistan in Test cricket, particularly at home.
Probable Playing XI
| South Africa | Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Tony de Zorzi | Shan Masood (c) |
| Aiden Markram | Saim Ayub |
| Ryan Rickelton | Babar Azam |
| Tristan Stubbs | Kamran Ghulam |
| Temba Bavuma (c) | Mohammad Rizwan (wk) |
| David Bedingham | Saud Shakeel |
| Kyle Verreynne (wk) | Salman Agha |
| Marco Jansen | Aamer Jamal |
| Corbin Bosch | Naseem Shah |
| Kagiso Rabada | Khurram Shahzad |
| Dane Paterson | Mohammad Abbas |
Match Prediction
Given their home advantage and strong bowling depth, South Africa enters as favorites. However, Pakistan’s pacers could challenge early on, and their spinners may play a decisive role in the latter half of the game.
Predicted Winner: South Africa, with Pakistan offering strong resistance.
Conclusion
The SA vs PAK 2nd Test at Newlands is set to be a riveting encounter, showcasing top-notch cricket from both sides. Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as the action unfolds.
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