Thursday's T20 World Cup predictions & cricket betting tips: Babar to star

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for Pakistan v South Africa in the T20 World Cup on Thursday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 8am Thursday

Best bets

Babar Azam top Pakistan runscorer
1pt 3-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Preview

England kept their hopes of qualifying for the T20 World Cup semi-finals alive with a 20-run victory over New Zealand on Tuesday.

Jos Buttler’s side are ahead of Australia on net run-rate and with the hosts playing Afghanistan on Friday, England’s net run-rate requirements for their game against Sri Lanka on Saturday will be known in advance. A victory in that game is likely to be enough to reach the final four.

In Group Two Pakistan are all but eliminated after their dramatic defeat to rivals India and a shock loss to Zimbabwe.

The Men in Green will be playing for pride against South Africa, who currently top the section after wins over India and Bangladesh and a washout.

Pakistan captain and opener Babar Azam has come under pressure after making just eight runs in the first three matches.

However he was run out in one of those instances and he may be worth backing to bounce back in this encounter.

Babar was the top scorer in last year’s World Cup and his career average is over 42 in T20 internationals, so could prove his doubters wrong by top-scoring for his side here.

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