Pakistan vs South Africa – 2nd T20I Betting Tips

Pakistan Eye Series Win against South Africa

Pakistan and South Africa will face off in the second T20I of the three-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.

The home team will come in the match with one eye on sealing the title after a narrow three-run victory over the visitors in the series opener on Thursday at the same venue.

Head coach Misbah-ul-Haq, who was under increasing pressure before the start of the series, will be hoping to see the youngsters keep producing the similar kind of performance in the all-important fixture.

On the other hand, South Africa will be hurt after suffering a defeat despite coming so close to the victory.

However, the team management will take a lot of heart from the fact that despite having so little experience in the squad, the Proteas managed to nearly pull off a great result on Thursday and therefore, the optimism will be to see the players continue on the same path in the remainder of the series.

Pakistan Form and Team news:

After winning the first match in a thrilling manner, the chances of making any significant changes in the home team’s playing XI remains slim.

However, after seeing South Africa’s struggle against the spin bowling, the inclusion of leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood might be on the cards for the second match.

Furthermore, left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi might also be rested after playing continues cricket over the last few months and could be replaced with right-arm pacer Hasan Ali or right-arm fast-bowler Mohammad Hasnain.

The form of Babar Azam might be a concern for the team management as well as he has just managed to score a single half-century in five innings against the Proteas.

In the batting department, Pakistan will be depending on the likes of in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, Captain Babar and young Haider Ali to score bulk of the runs and put the team in a commanding position.

With the ball in hand, the onus will be on the likes of leggie Usman Qadir, left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz and right-arm pacer Haris Rauf to produce timely breakthroughs.

South Africa Form and Team News:

After suffering a narrow defeat in the series opener, South Africa, just like Pakistan, are unlikely to make wholesale changes in the playing XI for the second fixture.

However, after looking at the pitch behavior and knowing the fact that left-arm spinner George Linde did trouble the home team’s batting unit in the Test series, the 29-year-old might get a call in place of one of the seamers for the game on Saturday.

In the batting department, the Proteas will be once again depending on the likes of in-form Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan, veteran David Miller and Captain Heinrich Klaasen to score bulk of the runs.

On the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi along with pacers Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius to provide timely breakthroughs.

Odds by Casumo

According to the Casumo sportsbook, Pakistan will start as firm favorites to win the second game of the T20I series. For the second T20I, Pakistan are placed at 1.47 odds, while South Africa at 2.65 odds.

Check out our Cricket Odds Here

 

Our Tipster’s Angle

The first game of the series, to the surprise of many, went all the way down to the wire where the home team emerged on top.

Despite a very close contest on Thursday, the reality remains that the home team emerged as the one who are better suited for the conditions.

Therefore, the prediction is for Pakistan to win the match and seal the T20I series.

Tip 1: Usman Qadir will continue his merry ways with the ball in hand

Given South Africa’s problem against spinners, Usman Qadir will certainly be one player to watch out for Pakistan for this game. In the opening game, Leg-spinner Usman Qadir delivered a splendid bowling performance and bamboozled the visitors with his range of variations.

Since making his T20 debut for Pakistan, Usman Qadir has claimed 10 wickets in 4 matches at a splendid economy rate of 5.40. Based on his current form, we are backing Leg-spinner Usman Qadir to take two wickets or more @2.50.

Conclusion

Expect Pakistan to register a thumping win and take 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

1. Usman Qadir to take two or more wickets-Pakistan@2,50.

Check out our Cricket Odds Here