T20 World Cup 2022: Exciting bowling matchup in South Africa VS Pakistan

    Dale Steyn is fascinated by the clash between two world-class attackers and analyses the crucial Super 12 match between South Africa and Pakistan at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Sydney

    Pakistan Bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf can create impact by picking early wickets Pakistan Bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf can create impact by picking early wickets

    While the Proteas legend regrets that the team will not compete on the bouncy Perth deck, he tips an equally intriguing contest on the SCG ground.

    The South Africans have fond memories of playing in Sydney as, like New Zealand, they have scored more than 200 in the tournament. 

    At the SCG, India scored 179/2 with three half-centuries in their win over the Netherlands, scoring three half-centuries.

    While a change of game could be on the cards for both bowling groups with changes of pace or even additional spin options in place of Perth's bouncy deck, Dale Steyn stressed that the pressure on the batters to match the scores of earlier in this tournament could work in the bowlers' favour.

    "It's really up to the batters to see how they can handle a higher scoring ground. How are they going to combat that to kind of overcome each other?" Dale Steyn said.

    "I'm excited to see how the bowlers are going to change their game and how they're going to go about their business on a surface that it's different to what they've come across, but they're just two wonderful attacks, all-round, both sides."

    For the bowlers, it will be a battle of wits. Dale Steyn urges the bowlers to rethink their plans on a surface that may not suit pace and bounce and calls on those assembling the team to be brave if they have to put together a winning team.

    At the start of the tournament, Dale Steyn had ranked Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi among his top five fast bowlers in the game alongside Mitchell Starc, Mark Wood, and South Africa's Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.

    However, another Pakistani quick could make the difference in Dale Steyn's eyes: Haris Rauf.

    Looking at his extensive experience in Australia, Dale Steyn believes Haris Rauf's knowledge and skills could make a difference.

    As for tomorrow's result, Dale Steyn favours his compatriots but does not rule out Babar Azam's team, provided they back their business plans.

    "I'm going to go with South Africa, (as they're) on a very hot run right now," Dale Steyn said.

    "South Africa are looking really good right now."

     

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