Whereas South Africa are closing in on a semifinal berth with 4 wins of their kitty, Pakistan must beat the Proteas at Chepauk on Friday to remain related for a semis berth going ahead.And after the loss in opposition to Afghanistan on Monday, issues have develop into doubly troublesome. Whereas Pakistan appear to be working out of concepts, South Africa are effervescent with choices.
Quinton de Kock, who’s an professional on Indian circumstances due to his IPL expertise, has been in supreme contact within the World Cup and his 174 off 140 balls in Mumbai in opposition to Bangladesh will need to have despatched shivers down the backbone of the Pakistani bowlers.
If Quinton will get going in opposition to Pakistan on Friday, it may properly be recreation over fairly quick for the sub-continental giants. However the Pakistani administration could pay attention to the truth that Quinton hasn’t at all times been very profitable on Chennai tracks, the place the ball stops and turns a bit.
“Finger spinners who can take the ball away from Quinton are completely essential. Dhoni, main CSK, at all times prefers to make use of off-spinners in opposition to him early on. He additionally seems for pacers who can fluctuate the tempo and take the ball away from the left-hander,” L Balaji, who was the CSK bowling coach from 2018-22, instructed TOI.
Whereas Dhoni’s go-to since 2018 had been Harbhajan Singh and Moeen Ali in opposition to De Kock, Pakistan do not have that high quality of their ranks. Ifthikar Ahmed is the one one who bowls off-spin. Ifthikar had a protracted bowling stint on the observe nets on Wednesday.
What was much more fascinating was to see Shadab Khan, a leggie, constantly bowling off-spin within the nets. He was seen having a dialogue with coach Mickey Arthur after which the wrist-spinner shifted to finger spin. It’s to be seen although if Shadab retains doing one thing he isn’t snug with in opposition to the likes of Quinton and David Miller.
Together with Shadab attempting finger spin, Pakistan may have left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz again. Nawaz bowled a protracted spell on Wednesday and it’s virtually a on condition that he’ll exchange leggie Usama Mir within the XI.
Fakhar Zaman for further firepower?
Explosive left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman, who’s recuperating from a knee damage, had a protracted batting stint within the nets and one feels he could discover a place within the XI.
