South Africa vs Pakistan
So the hosts have won the three-match test series with a clean sweep.
Now it’s time for the one-day international meetings, affectionately called ODI.
Five meetings over 12 days for SBOBET cricket lovers to enjoy, and a chance for Pakistan to restore some pride.
Starting in Port Elizabeth and moving onto Durban, Centurion, Johannesburg and Cape Town, the onus is certainly on the visitors.
Talking Points
South Africa won the tests by six wickets, nine wickets and 107 runs respectively but anyone who watches ODI 2019 highlights will tell you it’s a different game again.
The fact that the Proteas completed a 3-0 whitewash is no guarantee of success.
They may have shone in this format, too, in recent months, but there will be no room for complacency when they square off.
The series affords both sides a chance to fine-tune their preparations for the World Cup, which starts a little over four months’ time in England.
The home favourites have two uncapped players in Rassie van der Dussen and Duanne Olivier – the latter was Pakistan’s chief tormentor in the Test series – and there is no doubt his exploits will have placed him on the selectors’ radar for a spot in the World Cup.
With Dale Steyn rested for the first two matches along with Quinton de Kock, there is a late call-up for opening batsman Aiden Markram, again showing the strength at the host’s disposal.
Captain Faf du Plessis will also return after missing the Third Test through suspension so he should be well rested coming into this series.
After such a torrid time of it so far, the key question is can Pakistan be optimistic in the 50-overs game where fast short-pitched bowling will likely not be a decisive factor, particularly not at the usually slow Port Elizabeth pitch?
According to their coach Mickey Arthur, Pakistan are a better white-ball team than they are a test unit right now and will be pinning more hopes on their batting line-up.
That largely faltered in the longest format, so the experience of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez – who retired from test cricket at the end of last year – likely to prove invaluable in a more than capable attack in which spinners Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim could play key roles.
The likes of Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, the aggressive left-handed opening batsman who has hit 1275 runs at an average of 57.95 in one-day internationals, also provide a different kind of threat in the abbreviated versions of the game.
Remember, there are also T20 meetings to follow in February.
Pakistan have shown their ability in one-day cricket, notably when they won the Champions Trophy in England in 2017. Since the start of that tournament, during which they beat South Africa in a rain-shortened match, they have compiled a 17-10 winning record.
They can’t be ruled out, even if it is South Africa who are clearly in the position of strength.
History
South Africa have the edge, historically, in their one-day international meetings. They have a total of 47 triumphs compared to Pakistan’s 25 successes.
However, the last time they met in this format 18 months ago, Pakistan recorded victory.
That was in the ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston when they won by 19 runs using the D/L method.
Pakistan went on to win the tournament final against India who had also defeated South Africa at the group stage.
Betting Tip
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South Africa vs Pakistan | Pakistan Draw Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.66 |
| January 19 (19:00 GMT+8) |
Pakistan may well be helped by the fact they will have some fresh but experienced blood coming into the team unaffected by the heavy Test series loss.
However, those players will take time to adjust to conditions, and the hosts have to be favoured once again to get the victory.
Hashim Amla and De Kock (although due to be rested) are both priced @ 3.50 in ODI 2019 odds to be the leading scoring batsmen for South Africa.
Meanwhile, it’s Azam and Hafeez, both @ 4.50, who are favourites in the Pakistani ranks.
You can, incidentally, get odds of @ 6.00 for any other batsmen on both sides (other than those listed).
South Africa are clear favourites with 2019 one-day international betting odds Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 1.46.
So why, you may ask, is my
tip to favour the visitors Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.66.
It’s because they are hurting and will be determined to bounce back as quickly as possible.
While South Africa may be well ahead in the world test rankings, they are only a place above Pakistan in the one-day standings.
| A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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