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PAK vs SA Dream 11 Team Prediction for 1st Test: Preview | Dale Steyn returns

By Omkar91

Hello and Welcome to our preview for Pakistan vs South Africa Test match. We are covering PAK vs SA Dream 11 team Prediction, Preview and Probable Playing XI for the opening Test match. The match is to be played at the SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Both the teams involved are coming back to Test cricket from a series loss but this will be a completely different fixture. The Boxing Day Test will be played at the SuperSport Park and it will be a special occasion. South Africa will be favorites as the home side and Pakistan, on the other hand, will want to give a stern fight.

South Africa struggled on the turning track of Sri Lanka and faced an embarrassing defeat. A lot of time has passed since then and playing at home will boost their confidence. While Ngidi and Philander are out due to injury, Dale Steyn is back. He will be eyeing his record-breaking wicket.

Pakistan lost the home series to New Zealand recently. They are also missing two of their key players to injury. The biggest blow is of course Mohammad Abbas, who has been the best bowler by a mile. Abbas would have been a spectacle on the South African tracks. Pakistan has historically been poor in South Africa. They have a tough task cut out for them.

Also read: PS vs ADS Dream11 Team Prediction of BBL: Preview

When and Where:

PAK vs SA, First Test, Pakistan tour of South Africa, 2018-19
SuperSport Park, Centurion
26^th-30^th December 2018, 1:30 PM IST

Venue details:

Average 1^st innings score: 334
Average 2^nd innings score: 324

Centurion is likely to be the spicy pitch that we know it to be. It was batting-friendly in the Mzansi Super League but for Test cricket, it should help the pace bowlers.

Squads:

PAK:
Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan.

SA:
Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Theunis de Bruyn, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Duanne Olivier, Zubayr Hamza, Dane Paterson.

Team News:

Pakistan:

Harris Sohail is suffering knee injury and he hasn’t practiced from last 2 days. His playing chance is vary less. Shan Masood is expected to play in his place.

Mohammad Abbas and Shadab Khan are injured and will not be playing.

Fakhar Zaman is fit and will open the innings with Imam-Ul-Haq. Azhar Ali-Haris Sohail-Asad Shafiq-Babar Azam bat in the middle order.

Sarfraz Ahmed will be the wicketkeeper-Captain.

Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi will be the three seamers. Yasir Shah is the lone spinner.

South Africa:

Vernon Philander and Lungi Ngidi are ruled out due to injury.

Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada will be the lead pace bowlers for SA. Duanne Olivier will be the third pacer. Keshav Maharaj will be the sole spinner.

Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram will open the innings. T De Bruyn, Hashim Amla and FAF Du Plessis form the solid middle order.

Temba Bavuma will bat at six, however, Zubayr Hamza will make a debut if Bavuma misses out. Quinton De Kock takes the seventh spot.

Probable Playing XI:

PAK:
Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail/S Masood, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (c&wk), Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi

SA:
Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Theunis de Bruyn, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma/Z Hamza, Quinton de Kock (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Dale Styen, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Oliver