Friday sees South Africa and Pakistan move on to the second match of their three-match T20I series. This series includes a Test series that was drawn (1-1) and a three-match ODI series that begins on November 4.
The match is taking place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, a change of venue after the first T20I was played in Rawalpindi. No matter the result on Halloween, there is little time for rest and reflection here because the third T20I takes place the very next day.
Here is a look ahead at the contest.
Pakistan VS South Africa Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Pakistan VS South Africa Date: Friday, October 31
Pakistan VS South Africa Odds:
History
This is a typical South Africa versus Pakistan series in how the squads have been selected. While it is being billed as a build-up towards the T20 World Cup, that tournament is still four months away, with bags of cricket to be played in the interim.
Once again, South Africa is taking on Pakistan with a mixture of veterans and youngsters, first and second string. This is typical of how these series have been over the past decade, with the management team working to manage minutes and any injury concerns.
The first T20I went in favor of the tourists at the same 11/10 odds they are being given here. After winning the toss, Pakistan put the Proteas into bat, then watched South Africa put up 194/9 from their 20 overs. Reeza Hendricks smashed 60 from 40 balls, while a cameo by George Linde added an important 36 from 22 from the No. 7 spot.
Linde was named Man of the Match. His bowling figures of 3/31 helped South Africa skittle the hosts for 139. The win was never in doubt from when Pakistan collapsed from 3/81 to 7/89.
Pakistan
The much-talked-about return of Babar Azam to the Pakistan T20 fold did not go well. Dropped for a lack of poor form and way out of match practice, having barely played since May, Azam came in at No. 3 in the order and was bowled by Corbin Bosch for a two-ball duck.
It is unlikely that Azam would be immediately dropped, but this is Pakistan, and the selectors have done worse things in the past.
South Africa
The Protest got much more out of Quinton de Kock than Pakistan did out of Azam. Opening the batting alongside Hendricks, de Kock looked well on his way to a big score before being caught off the bowling of Saim Ayub for 23 from 13 balls. He smashed five fours in that brief spell at the crease, the joint most in the Proteas innings alongside Hendricks and Tony de Zorrzi.
It would shock no one if de Kock went off on Friday or Saturday with a massive score. His groove is still there.
Best Bets
The toss bias matters here, with this being under the lights in Lahore. I fancy South Africa to win again. Those 11/10 odds with BetXchange are too tempting to turn down, given how little Pakistan showed in the first T20. They seem more focused and confident than a Pakistan side that is ready to fold when something goes wrong.
De Kock is on at 21/4 to be the top batsman. I would eat that up as he was crushing the ball on Tuesday.
