Disgruntled Pakistan will take on the chin up South Africa in the seventh match of ICC Champions Trophy 2017, today, June 7, at the Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Match Time
The match is scheduled to begin at 13:30 local time (12:30 GMT | 17:30 PKT).
Preview
Pakistan will be desperate for the win to remain their hopes alive in the tournament. They have not had the dream start of the competition against India. The match against India had so many lessons for Pakistan, they should overcome their vulnerabilities and reshuffle the squad.
The injury of Wahab will give Junaid Khan a place in the squad, while Fahim Ashraf’s inclusion might have to be delayed further, as South Africa do have a delicacy against spin, so Shadab has his chance.
On the other hand, skipper Sarfraz has to come up with plan B and C if their main plan goes fail in the field. He has to learn the art to take the decisions on the spot. He will groom with the time, but this must not take too long because Pakistan are never too hesitant to change team leaders.
On the other hand, South Africa are too far away from all these worries. But, their tendency to choke in the crunch games, especially in the ICC tournaments is the only concern. Moreover, they have an unforgettable history against Pakistan in the mega events. Be it 2009, 2010, 2012 WT20s… or WC 2015. If there’s anything to look out for, is an imitation of these events.
Live Streaming Information
ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Live Streaming & TV Information
Pakistan: PTV Sports, Ten Sports, Star Sports India, PTV Sports Youtube
Australia: Channel 9, Fox Sports.
Afghanistan: Lemar TV, Star Sports India.
Bangladesh: GTV, Star Sports India
India: DD National (Only Indian matches), Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports HD2, Star Sports 3, Star Sports HD3, Hotstar, SONYLIV Live Streaming
New Zealand: SkySports, Sky Sports NZ United Kingdom: ITV 1 & 4, SkySports
USA: ESPN3, Willow TV
Sri Lanka: SLRC Channel Eye, Star Sports India
Caribbeans, South America, Central America: ESPN
South Africa: Super Sports
Middle East: OSN Sports
Canada: SportsNet, WillowTV Paci×c Islands,
Papua New Guinea: Fiji TV, SKY Paci×c
Singapore: Star Cricket Starhub & Singtel
Hong Kong: Star Cricket – PCCW
Netherlands: Fox Sports Wales
Ireland: Sky Sports 2
Rest of the world: Hotstar
TEAM NEWS
South Africa may be tempted to stick with the side that beat Sri Lanka so comprehensively, although that would mean they miss the transformation target – a minimum of six players of colour on average over a season – two games in a row. Phehlukwayo might be given a start, and in such an eventuality one of Chris Morris and Morne Morkel could make way.
South Africa (probable): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 David Miller, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Chris Morris, 8 Wayne Parnell, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Morne Morkel/Andile Phelukwayo, 11 Imran Tahir
Wahab Riaz has been ruled out of the tournament, and Junaid Khan will take his place in the side. Sarfraz Ahmed also confirmed that Fakhar Zaman will open the batting, replacing Ahmed Shehzad.
Pakistan (probable): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Azhar Ali, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Mohammad Hafeez, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt, wk), 7 Imad Wasim, 8 Shadab Khan, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Junaid Khan
