SA v Pakistan ODIs: Babar Azam, Duanne Olivier and other key players

Waseem Ahmed 00:15 18/01/2019
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  • Babar Azam has been in scorching form of late.

    After South Africa completed a 3-0 clean sweep over Pakistan in the Test series, the two teams will now turn their attentions to the limited-overs clash.

    The limited-overs leg of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa will kick off with a five-match ODI series which promises to be an enticing battle.

    As the two sides get ready to lock horns in the 50-over format, we take a look at three players from either side who could prove to be key in the series.

    SOUTH AFRICA

    Reeza Hendricks

    The opening batsman will be tasked with getting the hosts off to some explosive starts and his recent form suggests that he is more than capable of performing it with distinction.

    The 29-year-old was in scorching form during the inaugural Mzansi Super League T20 where he finished as the joint second-highest run-scorer. Representing Jozi Stars in the league, Hendricks smashed 412 runs from 10 innings at an average of nearly 59 and a strike-rate above 142.

    He can clear the boundary ropes with ease if he gets going at the top for South Africa.

    Hendricks can give Proteas the explosive starts.

    Hendricks can give the Proteas some explosive starts.

    Duanne Olivier

    Pakistan will already be sick of the sight of Olivier after his performances in the Test series. Called up only as fast-bowling cover initially, Olivier created an instant impact by picking up 24 wickets in the three matches.

    His short-pitched bowling had Pakistan’s batsmen in all sorts of bother and his wicket tally is only the second highest ever recorded by a South African bowler in a single series.

    Olivier is now in line to make his ODI debut after Dale Steyn was handed a rest and he will be itching to continue his stranglehold over Pakistan’s batsmen.

    Olivier had Pakistan's number in the Test series.

    Olivier had Pakistan’s number in the Test series.

    Heinrich Klaasen

    With Quinton de Kock being rested for the first two ODIs, it will be Klaasen who takes the wicketkeeping gloves for the Proteas. The 27-year-old only made his South Africa debut last year in the series against India and gave an excellent account of himself with some match-winning knocks.

    He can be quite effective with his unorthodox shot making against the spinners and that could come in handy against a Pakistan attack which will comprise of Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim.

    Klaasen can unsettle Pakistan's spinners.

    Klaasen can unsettle Pakistan’s spinners.

    PAKISTAN

    Babar Azam

    There are very few batsmen in the world currently who are in better form than Babar when it comes to limited-overs cricket.

    The 24-year-old has been on a sensational run in both ODIs and T20s and recently broke Virat Kohli’s record to become the fastest batsman to bring up 1,000 runs in the 20-over format.

    One of Pakistan’s better batsmen in the preceding Test series, Babar will be hoping to pick up the same form he showed in the limited-overs clashes against New Zealand in the UAE.

    Babar Azam has been in scorching form of late.

    Babar Azam has been in scorching form of late.

    Shaheen Afridi

    It is hard to believe that Afridi is still only 18 given the maturity he has shown with his bowling on the international stage over the past few months.

    The left-armed pacer’s stock continues to rise following his man-of-the-series display in the ODIs against New Zealand in UAE and he has now done the business in the Test format too as evidenced by his nine wickets in the two recent appearances against South Africa.

    In just six ODIs so far, Afridi is averaging just a shade under 17 with 13 scalps to his name and he will be eager to add to that tally in the coming series.

    Afridi's rise has been meteoric.

    Afridi’s rise has been meteoric.

    Imam-ul-Haq

    He has had to deal with accusations of nepotism ever since he broke onto the big stage but make no mistake, Imam is in the Pakistan squad on merit alone.

    His Test career might be yet to fully take off but when it comes to ODIs, the left-handed opener is one of the most exciting young batsmen around currently.

    With four international tons to his name in just 16 ODIs at an average of exactly 63, Imam will be key to Pakistan’s hopes of toppling the formidable Proteas in their own backyard.

    Imam's ODI record so far is phenomenal.

    Imam’s ODI record so far is phenomenal.

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