Pakistan vs South Africa – 1st Test Betting Tips

Pakistan and South Africa will clash in the first of two Test series, starting from Tuesday at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The series is of greater significance as this is the first time in 14 years when the Proteas have landed in the South Asian country for a bilateral cricket series.

Pakistan are coming in the contest low-on-confidence after getting thrashed against New Zealand in their previous assignment.

However, with the return of star batsman and regular captain Babar Azam, who missed the New Zealand tour after suffering a thumb fracture, the team management will be hoping to see some sort of response from the players in favourable conditions against a formidable opposition.

On the other hand, South Africa are coming in the series full of confidence as they thrashed Sri Lanka in their previous outing in the five-day format and the team management will be hoping to see the players continue their good performances, this time away from home against a team who are already going through a transitional phase.

Pakistan Form and Team news:

The home team has made several changes in the squad for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa.

On Sunday, the 17-member squad was finalized which included a host of uncapped players and it will be interesting to see what kind of team composition the management will opt for the match on Tuesday.

On the batting front, in the absence of the likes of regulars like opener Shan Masood and veteran middle-order batsman Haris Sohail, the onus will be on the likes of skipper Babar, former captain Azhar Ali, veteran middle-order batsman Fawad Alam and in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan to score bulk of the runs and give their inexperienced bowling attacking something to bowl at.

On the bowling front, the team will be relying on the likes of left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and leg-spinner Yasir Shah to produce timely breakthroughs.

South Africa Form and Team News

South Africa will be coming in this match relatively stable after their impressive performances against Sri Lanka and therefore, the team management is unlikely to tweak a lot with the playing XI.

Therefore, in the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Captain Quinton de Kock, experienced opening batsman Dean Elgar and former captain Faf du Plessis to score bulk of the runs and put the visitors in a commanding position.

On the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi to put the home team’s batting unit under pressure by getting regular wickets.

Odds by Casumo

According to the Casumo sportsbook, Pakistan will be clear favorites to win this opening game of the series to be played at Karachi. For the series opener, Pakistan are placed at 2.05 odds, while South Africa at 3.75 odds.

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Our Tipster’s Angle

Both teams are coming in the Test series on the back of contrasting performances in their previous outings in the five-day format. However, that does not make it easy to predict a winner of the first match.

Looking at how the pitch behaved in the recently concluded Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2020-21, the team with a better fast-bowling attack is likely to have an edge over the opposition.

Therefore, the prediction is for Pakistan to secure a win against South Africa in Karachi.

Tip 1: Mohammad Rizwan’s golden run in Test cricket

Wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan certainly proved his critics wrong after producing three consecutive half-centuries in New Zealand. He will be looking to continue his rich vein of form with the bat for Pakistan in this home series.

With five half-centuries produced in overseas conditions, there is no doubt that Mohammad Rizwan has cemented his place in Pakistan’s Test XI. After his excellent returns with the bat against New Zealand, team management will be hoping that Rizwan can deliver big runs in this opening Test. So we are backing Mohammad Rizwan to score 50 or more [email protected].

Conclusion

Expect Pakistan to notch up a comfortable win over South Africa.

1. Mohammad Rizwan to score 50 or more [email protected].

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