World T20: Pakistan to take on South Africa

The match will be of more significance for Pakistan as a win against the Protea’s will put them in the perfect frame of mind ahead of the big-ticket encounter with arch-rival India on Sunday. South Africa has been in its consistent self in the group stage, but the real tournament starts now, and more so for the Protea’s. 

Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Thursday, captain Mohammad Hafeez said that ”Although South Africa had one of the best pace attacks, his batsmen were confident to face them. While Pakistan is pinning its hopes on spinners, South Africa will rely on its fast bowlers.”

Hafeez added that ”It’s all about the strategy of the team. We rely on our spinners because we have some really special bowlers in the side like (Saeed) Ajmal. He’s been producing the goods for the last two years. Afridi is the other one, we’re really happy to get his form back. He bowled well in the last game and is getting better.”

Hafeez said that ”The conditions in Colombo were a lot different than in Pallekele, where Pakistan won both their Group D matches, against New Zealand and Bangladesh. Adjust-ability would be a factor with the change in the conditions.”

He said that ”But we as a team have played enough cricket here in Colombo to know the conditions well.” Meanwhile, the matches to be played here at the R Premadasa Stadium today might be affected by some bad weather. The conditions in Colombo on Thursday remained overcast with the sun playing hide and seek throughout the day.