PAK vs SA 1st T20I Match Prediction: Who will win today’s match?

PAK vs SA Match Preview

After leveling the Test series by 1-1, Pakistan (PAK) and South Africa (SA) will take on each other in the T20I series starting on October 28. The first match of the series will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This will be a crucial series for both the teams ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.

Pakistan will be looking to take advantage of their home conditions and take a lead of 1-0. On the other hand, the Proteas will look to back their batting and register a high score while batting first. Let’s have a look at today’s cricket match prediction, pitch report, head-to-head and key players ahead of the first T20I match between Pakistan and South Africa.

PAK vs SA Match Details

PAK vs SA Pitch Report

Rawalpindi Stadium offers a batting friendly surface and it is not easy for bowlers to take quick wickets at this ground. However, as the match progresses, the pitch tends to become slow and provide support for the spin bowlers.

PAK vs SA Weather Report

PAK vs SA Head-to-Head Records & Stats

Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other 87 times in the history of ODI cricket so far. Out of these 87 matches, Pakistan won 52 times while the Proteas have defeated them on 34 occasions with one game ending in no result.

PAK vs SA Probable Playing XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad. Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman

PAK vs SA 2025 Full Squads

Pakistan: Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan (WK), Abdul Samad, Babar Azam, Hasan Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Tariq.

South Africa: Donovan Ferreira (c), Quinton de Kock (WK), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (WK), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams and Ottneil Baartman.

PAK vs SA Predicted Top Batter

Quinton de Kock: Star South African batter Quinton de Kock can turn out to be a key player in the first T20I match against Pakistan. De Kock has been a star performer for the Proteas in the shorter format and will be looking to play a match-winning knock in Rawalpindi.

PAK vs SA Predicted Top Bowler

Lungi Ngidi: In the bowling line-up, South African pacer Lungi Ngidi can be a player to watch out for in the first T20I against Pakistan. The right-arm pacer has been a crucial player for the Proteas in the shorter format and will be looking to deliver a match-winning spell.

Today’s Cricket Match Prediction

Toss Prediction: Pakistan to win the toss

Scenario 1: Pakistan opt to bowl first

1st innings prediction: South Africa to post 200-210 runs

Match Prediction: South Africa to win

Scenario 2: Pakistan opt to bat first

1st innings prediction: Pakistan to post 170-180 runs

Match Prediction: South Africa to win