Pakistan face South Africa in Birmingham, in a must-win fixture for both sides. West Indies and India recorded wins over Misbah-ul-Haq and AB de Villiers' men in the opening games of Group B, meaning whoever loses this match is eliminated from the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
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Watch Pakistan vs South Africa Live Streaming ICC Champions Trophy 2013 on 10th June 2013 at Birmingham Cricket Ground. ICC Champions Trophy 2013 PAk vs SA Live 10 June 2013. Watch Pakistan vs South Africa Live CT 5th Match 10-6-2013. Champions Trophy in its initial days has been turned into a crunch time.
The sides that met in South Africa at the start of the year are now back again to take on each other in a Champions Trophy fixture on Monday. Protease, who have been hit badly by injuries, are up against the underperforming Pakistani side. The match is to be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham and both teams badly need a victory in order to fancy their chances in rest of the tournament.
Either side was on the losing end in the opening games they had played earlier in the tournament. Protease lost their game closely against India while the Pakistanis had to lose a nail biter against the Caribbean side.
The South Africans were ready on the day against India right from the start where India put a huge 127 runs opening partnership and piled up 331/7. Ryan McLaren was highest wicket taker for protease as he took 3 for 70 and was well supported by Tsotsobe who took 2 for 83. They had to face a set back as Morne Morkel got injured in end of the seventh over of his quota of 10 and it seems that he will not be able to play rest of tournament.
The South African batsmen were brisk in their chase right from the start but they kept on losing wickets on regular intervals and due to this it was more likely that India will be victorious. McLaren’s knock of 71* was the source of bringing the Protease to close to their target as they got to 305. Other star performers with the bat were DE Villiers with 70 and Robin Peterson with 68.
As Dale Steyn missed out the other day at Cardiff because of injury, he is now trying his best to get included in the playing XI and serve his side in the all-important fixture. Morkel will be replaced by Chris Morris for the game against Pakistan.
Pakistan could pile up only 170 against West Indies in their tournament opener at Oval where only Misbah-ul-Haq with 96 and Nasir Jamshed with 50 could manage to enter the double figures. The bowlers were splendid though and fought hard even with such a minimal total as Irfan took 3 for 32 and was the most successful of the bowlers but West Indies still managed to get away with just 2 wickets in hand.
The South Africans have had a better track record against Pakistan as they have won 41 of the total 62 ODIs played between the two sides. Pakistan have just won 20 of them and one of the matches ended without a result.
Earlier this year both the teams were up against each other in South Africa where the series went up and down but in the end Protease managed to win it by 3-2. De Villiers scored the maximum 367 runs and Misbah, the Pakistani Skipper, was following him with 227. Even though Irfan missed one of these ODIs but he was the highest wicket taker by taking 11 wickets to his credit. On the other hand Ryan McLaren took 10 wickets in the tournament and was the best bowler for the Protease.
Pakistan had beaten the South African side in one of the warm up games quite convincingly and they will have to repeat that performance if they have to stay in the run for the title.
The big and most important match for both teams would lead either team to progress or get them to brink of exit. Pakistan and South Africa both have lost their respective 1st matches in ICC Champions Trophy 2013. The match is crucial but no any of them is looking to accept reality yet. So expectations are high and both will have a nail biting contest tomorrow at Edgbaston.
The conditions and recent performance are in South Africa’s favor as they not only beat Pakistan by 3-2 in last series but also they are more familiar with western pitches. In the warm up Match however, Pakistan beat South Africa but after playing against India a close game, their morale would be high. South Africa have deep talent in all fields more than Pakistan.
In bowling Dale Steyn may provide SA good opportunities whereas in batting and fielding there is plenty of experience. Battle line would be between Pakistan Bowling line up and South African Batting Line up. Dale Steyn will not be available for this match due to his fitness problems. In the absence of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, the strength of both teams are looking quite equal.
Chris Morris will replace Morne Morkel to make his debut in ODI. South African selectors are also thinking to include one further specialist spinner who may be Aaron Phangiso. Pakistani bowlers showed full commitment against West Indies and almost defend the total and Pakistani camp is unlikely to make any change in this section at least.
