Pakistan's quest to regain form and confidence after three embarrassing losses  

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Babar Azam has odds of 3.32 to be the best batsman for Pakistan.  
• Quinton de Kock has odds of 4.19 to be South Africa's best batsman. 
• Shaheen Afridi has odds of 3.70 to be Pakistan's best bowler.  
• Kagiso Rabada has odds of 3.74 to be the best bowler for South Africa.  

MATCH PREVIEW     

Pakistan have let themselves down in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. They are in dire straits and have seen their odds fall as they take on South Africa in the 26th game. The Pakistanis come here with three consecutive losses, with the third one against Afghanistan hurting them dearly. The bowling attack has struggled, and the side must put up a strong performance here to win this one and keep hopes alive for a berth in the semifinal. The South Africans continue their excellent form and come here with a massive win against Bangladesh. A win here will make them a strong contender for the semifinal, and the side will aim for it. It will be interesting to see if the Pakistanis can regain form in this contest.  

Pakistan Preview     

Babar Azam's team got the biggest thrashing of the tournament in the last game, losing to Afghanistan by eight wickets. While most cricket betting tips had rated them as favorites to win the game, the bowling attack had a miserable outing in the game, failing to put the Afghan batsmen under pressure. They can't afford another loss and need to fire all cylinders and register a big win here to keep hopes alive for the next round.  

Abdullah Shafique has played well in the tournament, but the side wants to see more intent from Imam-ul-Haq in this game. Babar Azam has to anchor the innings in the middle order and build partnerships with Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel in this game. The lower middle order did well in the last game, and they will expect ruins from Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Afridi.  

It has been a poor tournament for the Pakistani bowlers. Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali must strike early as the South African top order has looked in incredible form. Haris Rauf is having a nightmarish World Cup and must do well in the middle overs with Usama Mir. In this game, they will also need tight spells from Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed.  

Expected Starting XI for Pakistan     

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf 

South Africa Preview      

Temba Bavuma missed the last game. His side defeated Bangladesh by 149 runs. It was a great show from the batsmen and the bowlers as they dominated the game from the start. This win has propelled them to second place on the points table. They will aim to reach the top with a win here. Bavuma will know his opponent's struggles and look to exploit them in this game.  

Quinton de Kock scored his second hundred in the last game. He will look to set up a big stand with Temba Bavuma. The middle order is formidable for the side and has done well. They will need runs from Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen. David Miller, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee make it a strong batting line-up in the lower middle order that will test the Pakistani bowling.  

Lungi Ngidi will return to the side for this game and look to bowl a tight spell, sharing the new ball with Marco Jansen. Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee have done well with the ball, and the side will expect them to trouble the Pakistani middle order, which has struggled in the tournament. Keshav Maharaj will enjoy the conditions in Chennai and look to grab wickets along with Markram in the supporting role.     

Expected Starting XI for South Africa     

Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi  

TOSS: To Bowl First      

The conditions are challenging for the batsmen at the start of the game. In four games, we have seen the side chase the score successfully on three occasions. Both captains will take a cue from these results, and the side winning the toss shall have no hesitation in bowling first in this game.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

The skies over Chennai would be mostly clear, but the wicket shall be tricky to bat on. The wicket is two-paced, and playing the spinners is tough on this surface as the ball stops on the batsmen and keep low. The side batting first here would be happy with a score of 280 runs.    

OUR PREDICTION      

The two sides come into this game with contrasting forms. Pakistan has seen a dip in its form, and the bowling attack has performed miserably in the last few games. They have to bowl well in this game to have a chance. South Africans have all bases covered, and their top order has performed well in this game. According to our ICC World Cup betting guide, the South Africans start as favorites in this game.      

Our Prediction is for South Africa to win