Three South Africa players to watch out for Pakistan ODIs

Host South Africa are ready to take on Pakistan in the three-match ODI series, starting with the game on 2^nd April at Centurion.

Both teams played each other earlier this year, Pakistan managed to register victories in the Test and T20I series played in Pakistan.

All three matches will be played across two-venues, Centurion and Johannesburg.

Let’s take a look at the three South Africa players who have the ability win games of cricket in limited-overs cricket.

Quinton de Kock       

Quinton de Kock is certainly most bankable performer for South Africa in limited-overs cricket. The left-hander is undoubtedly the most explosive player at the top of the innings and will be looking to make an impact in the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan.

De Kock’s form suffered a lot during short captaincy term. The team management will be hoping that De Kock can find form with the bat in this one-day series. Wicket-keeper batsman had a tough time with the bat in the series played in Pakistan.

Quinton de Kock has represented South Africa in 121 ODIs where he has managed to score 5,135 runs at an average of 44.65 along with a strike-rate of 94.84, which included 15 centuries and 25 half-centuries. Against Pakistan, De Kock’s record is decent one where he has managed to score 466 runs in 13 innings at an average of 35.84 with one century and one half-century to his name.

Anrich Nortje

Anrich Nortje is now a permanent member of South Africa’s white-ball cricket for the past two years. The 27-year-old has already represented South Africa in 7 ODIs, where he has managed to take 14 wickets at an average of 20.21.

With the home side selecting their full-strength squad for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, team management will be hoping that their express pacer bowler will put his hand up and deliver the goods with the new-ball. He will be expected to take new-ball with Kagiso Rabada for the upcoming three match ODI series against Pakistan.

Given Nortje impressive returns in Pakistan, he will be looking to deliver his absolute best with the ball for South Africa.

Lungi Ngidi

The right-arm quick is one of the very few players who has played for South Africa in all three formats. Ngidi has been a regular member in the Test, ODI and T20I teams for past couple of years. The 24-year-old has played 26 matches for South Africa in the 50-over format where he has taken 53 wickets at an average of 21.50 with two four-wicket hauls.

Ngidi’s career best bowling performance in limited-overs cricket came against Australia in a game played at Bloemfontein on 4^th March, 2020. He picked up six wickets and conceded 58 runs in his ten overs.

Given his impressive performances for South Africa in the 50-over format, Lungi Ngidi will be looking to make an impact with the new-ball.

The only concern will be his fitness as pace bowler has sustained a lot of injuries and missed a lot of matches for South Africa in the past three years.