Pakistan was outplayed in their last match against India and the defeated players are looking forward to change that in their Champions Trophy match against South Africa scheduled on Wednesday at Edgbaston in Birmingham. But the task is incredibly difficult for Pakistan as South Africa, one of the favourites, comes into this match with a comprehensive victory under their belt.
To be fair, it would be a surprise if Pakistan manages to beat South Africa.
With some world-class players in both the teams, one hopes to see some good cricket without any interruption by rain which has been a regular feature in the Champions Trophy 2017.
Here is a look at how the match could go
If Pakistan bat first
Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell are in great form with the ball and run through their top order which includes the big wicket of Azhar Ali and Babar Azam too. Pakistan are 31 for three in 10 overs.
Experienced players like Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik are playing a cautious game trying to rebuild their innings, dealing in singles. They have finally settled and started to find the gaps after getting their eye in, and cross the 150 runs mark too.
Just when we thought that Pakistan are looking good for a good score, there is a batting collapse in the middle as Imran Tahir takes four wickets in a span of five overs. Pakistan, with some decent contribution from their tailenders, manages to score 230 runs.
South Africa openers Hashim Amla is sent back to the pavilion by Mohammad Amir in his first over, and dismisses Faf Du Plessis in his next over, which raises hope for the Pakistan team. But Quinton De Kock is in his zone; he is dealing in boundaries and that is counter attack at its best.
Kock and JP Duminy are in no problems whatsoever, and reach their 100 in the 16th over. Despite taking the wicket of Duminy, it is Kock, who is taking the aggressor's role, and also scores a wonderful hundred from just 96 balls.
Skipper AB De Villiers and Kock steer SA towards victory as they reach the target in the 42nd over.
If South Africa bat first
Amla and Kock are taking it easy in the first few overs, trying to see if there is anything for the seamers. After seeing off the new ball, the duo play their shots, and score runs quite easily. They are 75 from 15 overs without loss of any wicket.
The left-right hand combination is working well for South Africa as the Pakistan bowlers are not able to settle down. But, with the departure of Kock, there is finally some respite as Du Plessis walks onto bat.
Amla is also gone bringing ABD to bat. ABD plays the aggressor's role and scores a brisk 50, which is followed by some brilliant batting from Du Plessis and Duminy to steer their team to 316 runs.
Pakistan openers have an uphill task, but Rabada strikes early. After the openers are gone, Azam and Malik show some resistance, but it does not last long. They are 60 runs in the first 15 overs with three wickets down.
As pressure gets to the chasing side, and the Men in Green hit the panic button too early, they are dismissed for 190 runs only.
