Key points
- Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam lead Pakistan’s batting
- Quinton de Kock and Klaasen key for South Africa
- Waqar Younis and Shaun Pollock dominate bowling records
ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan host South Africa in the ODI series at Faisalabad, the historic rivalry between the two sides provides added spice — especially when one considers the individual men who have stood out over the years.
While South Africa have dominated the head-to-head with 52 wins to Pakistan’s 35 in 88 encounters, the hosts will draw confidence from recent form at home.
In terms of batting, two Pakistani stalwarts stand out: Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam. Fakhar produced an unforgettable innings of 193 against South Africa in an ODI chase — the highest individual score by a Pakistani in that context and one of the most memorable knocks in the rivalry.
Babar Azam too brings class and consistency, and though precise cumulative figures against South Africa are harder to isolate, he remains Pakistan’s most dependable middle-order batter.
On the South African side, one of the top performers with the bat has been Quinton de Kock (who is selected in the current XI) and Heinrich Klaasen, whose aggressive batting has troubled Pakistan’s bowling in recent contests. Previously, Klaasen struck 87 in a tri-series game against Pakistan.
Top wicket-taker
Turning to bowling, two names come to the fore: Pakistan’s great pacer Waqar Younis remains historically the top wicket-taker for Pakistan against South Africa in ODIs, with 32 wickets in his career versus them. On the South African side, their pace-troop legend Shaun Pollock takes pride of place — he amassed 36 wickets in ODIs vs Pakistan over his career.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke (c), Sinethemba Qeshile, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams.
The presence of Fakhar and Babar in the Pakistani batting line-up brings optimism: if the top order fires, Pakistan can post or chase match-winning totals.
South Africa meanwhile will lean on de Kock and Klaasen (not playing currently) to provide impetus in the batting department. In the bowling stakes, Pakistan will hope to draw inspiration from Waqar’s legacy and look to their current spearhead, Shaheen Afridi, to make early inroads. South Africa’s attack, in the tradition of Pollock, will bank on pace from Ngidi and Williams and spin from Linde to disturb Pakistan’s rhythm.
Familiar pitch
The Faisalabad venue offers Pakistan home-advantage. Yet South Africa arrive eager to overturn their historical inferiority on Pakistani soil, and will remind themselves of Pollock’s success and the need to nullify Pakistan’s batting heavyweights.
As the 2nd match approaches, attention will centre on whether Fakhar can produce another big score, whether Babar remains the lynchpin of the innings, and whether Waqar’s shadow still motivates the bowlers.
Equally, can de Kock continue to stand tall for South Africa, and can the visitors’ bowlers emulate Pollock’s impact? With records to chase and pride at stake, the Faisalabad ODI promises to be more than just a contest—it’s a battleground of historical performances and current ambitions.
