Following Pakistan’s nervy win in the opener, the 2nd Twenty20 International (T20I) of the 3-match series will be a do-or-die game for visitors South Africa on their historic first-ever tour of Pakistan. The game is scheduled to be played on the 3rd of September, 2023, at the National Stadium, Karachi, at 8:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Pakistan – Nida Dar (C), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (WK), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Umm-e-Hani
South Africa – Laura Wolvaardt (C), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker
Players to watch out:
Shawaal Zulfiqar
The 18-year-old opening batter top-scored with 175 runs in 5 innings in the domestic under-19 T20 tournament. When she featured in the national U-19 side at the World Cup earlier this year, she registered a series of starts with a best of 32*. Shawaal made her senior team debut during the series opener and departed for 11, but expect more of the promising talent as the series progresses.
Fatima Sana
The exciting 21-year-old pacer, in 24 T20Is, has picked up 18 wickets and has been more than handy with the bat, contributing 125 runs in 14 innings. Fatima had an expensive start to her series with returns of 1/38, but expect the pacer to bring some pace and produce match-defining spells in the remainder of the series.
Laura Wolvaardt
The 24-year-old opening batter, in 50 T20I outings, has scored 1123 runs at a strike rate of 109.34, with a highest score of 66*. Captaining her national side for the first time, Laura didn’t seem to be under extra pressure as she appeared as composed as ever during her fine knock of 44, and if she can carry on with the same momentum, it will be the icing on the cake.
Ayabonga Khaka
The 31-year-old pacer, in 51 T20Is, has bagged 47 wickets, recorded an economy rate of 6.30, and produced the best figures of 4/23. It’s not often that Khaka goes wicketless, but it was the case in the opener, and she will look to make an impact in the 2nd T20I. Nevertheless, she delivered an economical spell, finishing with figures of 0/27 (4).
Pitch:
The National Stadium, Karachi, provides a batting-friendly surface with an average score in the 140s. However, the pitch also offers enough for bowlers, especially spinners, who can dominate during the middle overs.
Weather:
The conditions are ideal for a game of cricket at the National Stadium, Karachi, with partly cloudy skies and a minimal chance of rain. The temperature is expected to hover around 28°C, with light winds and humidity at 76%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Muneeba Ali, Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Sidra Amin, Marizanne Kapp, Nida Dar, Nadine de Klerk, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal
Match details:
Date – September 3, 2023
Time – 8:00 PM IST
Venue – National Stadium, Karachi
Broadcast – All games of the series will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.