South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I: Preview and Predicted Playing XI

After halting Pakistan's T20I victory run, South Africa will aim to extend their winning run when they take on Pakistan for the second T20I on Sunday, February 2 at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

South Africa

The Proteas continued from where they left the ODI series and went on to beat the world number 1 side by six runs. Despite a good performance in the previous game, the Proteas knows the chinks in their lineup and will aim to rectify that in next face-off.

Batting

Skipper Faf du Plessis (78 runs from 43 balls) and Reeza Hendricks (74 runs from 41 balls) were Proteas' picks of the game. Both shared an incredible 131 run stand to get the team off to a flier. However, what might concern them is the unnecessary mistakes committed by other batsmen as most of them threw away their wickets by playing loose shots, which they would love to rectify in the second T20I.

Bowling

Beuran Hendricks paved way for the hosts while bowling. First, he showed his skills by picking up opener Fakhar Zaman in the very first over and then snared the wicket of Hasan Ali to end visitors' hopes towards the end. Meanwhile, Chris Morris and Tabraiz Shamsi also chipped in with two wickets each and these three are expected to continue it in the second game as well.

Expected Playing XI

Faf du Plessis (C), David Miller, Beuran Hendricks, Quinton de Kock/Heinrich Klaasen, Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Gihahn Cloete, Andile Phehlukwayo, Junior Dala, Chris Morris and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Pakistan

Pakistan eye a comeback in the second T20I.

For visitors, the defeat in previous games ended their nine-match winning streak, though they are much capable for a bounce back in the second game and one may expect them to counter the hosts in next game.

Batting

Skipper Shoaib Malik missed out on a well deserved fifty in the series opener and he will be looking to carry on with his form. Hussain Talat and Babar Azam continued their supreme run and scored 40 and 38 runs respectively. These three along with Fakhar Zaman form the core of the Pakistani lineup and will be expected to make it better next time.

Bowling

Usman Shinwari was the pick of the lot in the series opener with three wickets in his four overs and the team will bank on the bowler to come good in the next game as well. Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim, all snared one wicket each and they will be expected to disrupt the opponents during the middle overs.

Expected Playing XI

Shoaib Malik (C), Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Hussain Talat and Asif Ali.