Pakistan v South Africa: World Cup betting preview, TV channel, team news & tips

TV: Sky Cricket & Main Event, 10.30am Sunday

Lord's, London

Playing at Lord’s is an inspiring experience for most visiting teams and Pakistan and South Africa are hoping to rise to the occasion after disappointing starts to their World Cup campaigns.

South Africa’s four-wicket defeat to New Zealand – their fourth loss in five completed matches – virtually ended their hopes of a semi-final place.

And Pakistan have done little to shed their ‘mercurial’ tag at this tournament, beating the trophy favourites England but losing to the West Indies, Australia and bitter rivals India.

Best bets
South Africa looked like a team who had forgotten how to win against New Zealand on Wednesday when they had the Kiwis in trouble at 80-4 and 137-5 chasing 242.

Some sloppy fielding and the failure to review a not-out decision when Kane Williamson nicked a catch behind cost them at Edgbaston and they are uneasy favourites at Lord’s.

Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi bowled well against the Kiwis and Rabada has fond memories of Lord’s ODIs, having helped reduce England to 20-6 after five overs of a game at HQ in May 2017.

But Pakistan also have a fearsome pace attack with the rejuvenated Mohammad Amir claiming 13 wickets in four completed matches.

Amir and Wahab Riaz closed out the game well against England and spinners Shadab Khan, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik should trouble a Proteas side who have struggled to assert themselves against slow bowlers in this tournament.

Neither batting unit should fill punters with confidence and only Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen have shown the attacking intent required in ODI cricket for South Africa.

Pakistan were bowled out for 105 by the Windies in their opener but they posted 348-8 in the win over England and scored 361-7, 358-9, 340-7 and 297 in their pre-tournament series against the hosts.

They were 136-2 chasing 308 to beat Australia before a clutch of middle-order wickets and are worth a small bet to win this clash of two flawed teams.

Hashim Amla’s struggles at the top of the order have epitomised South Africa’s campaign and a runs line of 34.5 looks too high considering the threat of Amir’s new-ball spells for Pakistan.

Amla made 55 in the defeat to New Zealand, not entirely convincingly, and his unbeaten 41 against Afghanistan took him 83 balls in a low-pressure match situation.

Before then he had been dismissed for 13 against England, six against India and six against the West Indies so Pakistan will be confident of getting rid of the veteran early.

Recommendations
Pakistan
1pt 6-5 general
H Amla to score under 34.5 runs
2pts 5-6 Coral, Ladbrokes

Team news
Pakistan
Malik’s poor run with the bat could mean a recall to the middle-order for Haris Sohail.

South Africa
Ngidi bowled ten hostile overs on his return from injury against New Zealand and should keep his place.

Venue
There has been no clear toss advantage in recent Lord’s ODIs – of the last 11 five have been won by the team batting first, five by the team batting second, and England tied with India in 2011.

The new ball can pose a huge threat, as England’s collapse against South Africa proved in 2017, while a year earlier Pakistan were 2-3 before a Sarfaraz Ahmed century dragged them to 251.

Weather
Cloudy but dry with temperatures reaching 23C.

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport