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It’s been a pulsating T20I series between middling T20I teams that has swayed from one corner to the other.
Like the ODI series, it was Pakistan who started with a nail-biting win before South Africa bounced back strongly in the second game. And in the third game, Pakistan roared back into form to take the lead. However, unlike the 50-over series, there is a fourth game in this T20I series.
South Africa’s inexperience with the ball has come to the fore. Their only win came when the bowlers stepped up and delivered, restricting Pakistan to 140/9 in the second T20I. However, apart from that, they have been carted around by the Pakistan top-order. The batting has done well. The Proteas openers Aiden Markram and Janneman Malan have laid the platform more often than not and have given the side some solid brisk starts. With Rassie van der Dussen back in the mix and stand-in skipper and wicket-keeper batsman Henrich Klaasen striking it well, the middle-order wears a pretty good look. Thus, the batting is not a big worry, and the bowlers will have to step up, especially if they are defending.
Meanwhile, Pakistan seem to have all bases covered. They have a firing top-order, and Mohammad Rizwan has been a revelation at the top of the order in T20Is in the last year. Babar Azam is the glue, while Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez at 3 and 4 respectively provide some flair and solidity. They have some big-hitters in the lower middle-order as well and have done fairly well too. The bowling has been inconsistent, but most bowlers have gone the distance in this series. Hence, Pakistan will be looking to wrap up the series 3-1 and earn their second T20I series win in South Africa (first series win, which comprises of two or more games).
Key Players
For a long time now, Aiden Markram has had people scratching their heads. He looks a million dollars every time he bats, especially in the shorter formats, but he cannot convert his starts at the international stage. It was the case in the ODI series as well. However, he turned it around in the T20Is and has smashed three half-centuries on the bounce, his first ones in the shortest format. The 26-year-old Titans opening batsman has given South Africa some solid starts at the top, and he will be the key for the Proteas in their quest to level the series.
George Linde will be a crucial player for South Africa with both bat and ball. The left-arm spinning all-rounder is one of the only three players to have an economy under nine in this series. He was the player of the match for South Africa in the second T20I as he took a three-wicket haul and scored an unbeaten 20. The left-hander looked solid in the third game and moved up to bat at No. 3. Thus, his role as a floater and his accurate left-arm spin will be vital for the hosts once again.
Babar Azam is in scintillating form and has been getting big runs consistently on this tour. After racking up 228 runs in the three-match ODI series, which helped him ascend to the top of the ODI batting rankings, he has amassed 186 runs in three innings. He was criticised for his 50-ball 50 in the second T20I, but he bounced back stunningly to smash 122 off just 59 balls to help Pakistan chase down 204 with ease. The Pakistan skipper will once again be hoping to give his side a solid start at the top.
Mohammad Nawaz has been a silent performer on this tour for Pakistan. The left-arm spinning all-rounder picked up 3/34 in the series decider in the third ODI. In the T20I series, he has been the most economical bowler across the two teams. He has conceded runs at an economy of 8.00 and has returned with four wickets. Nawaz picked up a couple of key wickets (both the South African openers) and helped Pakistan pull things back in the second half with the ball.
Prediction
In the recent past, Pakistan lost the T20I series in New Zealand 1-2 before winning 2-1 against South Africa at home, and they will be aiming for a second successive T20I series win over the Proteas. Including the ongoing series, Pakistan have won 11 out of their last 17 T20Is that they have played and have lost just five. Meanwhile, the Proteas have won just four out of their last 15 T20Is, and they will be desperate to level the series 2-2.
Considering the recent record combined and the inexperience in South Africa’s side, especially the bowling attack, Pakistan will be favourites to clinch this series decider. The head to head record is all squared up at 10-10 at the moment. Even in South Africa, it is even stevens with 5-5.
