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The second game of the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series promises to be an exciting clash between New Zealand and South Africa. While New Zealand started their campaign with a dominant win against Pakistan, this will be South Africa’s first match in the tournament.
The first game showcased a batting-friendly surface in Lahore, with plenty of runs scored. Glenn Phillips (106), Daryl Mitchell (81), Kane Williamson (58), and Fakhar Zaman (84)* all impressed with the bat.
With SA20 just concluding, South Africa may not have their strongest XI available. However, they have enough talent in white-ball cricket to challenge a well-settled New Zealand side.
A hard pitch with good pace and bounce is expected once again, ensuring an exciting contest.
MATCH DETAILS
| Fixture | New Zealand vs South Africa |
|---|---|
| Date | February 5, 2025 |
| Time | 09:30 AM Local Time |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Live Streaming | Available on official platforms |
TEAMS PREVIEW
New Zealand
New Zealand started their campaign in style with a 78-run victory over Pakistan, and they are unlikely to make any changes to their XI for this match. The batting unit looked in fine touch, with Glenn Phillips leading the way with a match-winning 106 off 74 balls*.
Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson also made important contributions, and both will be key players again. Tom Latham, despite getting dismissed for a duck, is a reliable batter who will be eager to bounce back.
With the ball, Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner were the standout performers. Henry continues to be a consistent wicket-taker, while Santner’s control and variations proved effective in the middle overs. Michael Bracewell also chipped in with key breakthroughs.
New Zealand’s balanced squad makes them strong contenders in this game, and they will look to build on their strong start.
New Zealand Predicted XI:
Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke
South Africa
South Africa enter the competition with some key players unavailable due to injuries and the recently concluded SA20. While they may not be at full strength, their squad still boasts a strong mix of experienced and young talent.
Their primary concern will be their pace attack, as injuries to Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee leave them with a relatively inexperienced unit. This provides an opportunity for Junior Dala and Gideon Peters to step up and make an impression.
With the bat, Matthew Breetzke is expected to take an aggressive approach at the top. Temba Bavuma, a steady presence in the lineup, will play a crucial role in anchoring the innings. Heinrich Klaasen, a destructive batter in white-ball cricket, is expected to be used in a floating role, allowing him to come in when acceleration is needed.
Despite some uncertainties, South Africa’s white-ball expertise should keep them competitive against New Zealand.
South Africa Predicted XI:
Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne, Senuran Muthusamy, Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Pongwana, Junior Dala, Keshav Maharaj, Gideon Peters
FANTASY XI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Glenn Phillips | Batter |
| Kane Williamson | Batter |
| Daryl Mitchell | Batter |
| Matthew Breetzke | Batter |
| Heinrich Klaasen | Batter |
| Temba Bavuma | Batter |
| Mitchell Santner | All-rounder |
| Michael Bracewell | All-rounder |
| Matt Henry | Bowler |
| Junior Dala | Bowler |
| Keshav Maharaj | Bowler |
PITCH REPORT
The surface at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, has proven to be a batting paradise.
- Batting Conditions: The pitch offers true bounce and pace, making stroke-making easier. Scores above 320-340 are expected.
- Bowling Assistance: Fast bowlers get some movement early on, while spinners can get help if they bowl in the right areas.
- Par Score: Anything above 320 will be a strong total to defend.
TOSS PREDICTION
New Zealand won convincingly by batting first in the last match, showing that posting a total is the best strategy. Both teams may prefer to bat first if they win the toss.
MATCH PREDICTION
With South Africa missing key players and New Zealand looking well-settled after their first match, the Black Caps have the edge going into this contest.
Considering their strong top order, in-form bowling attack, and consistency in white-ball cricket, New Zealand are expected to continue their winning run in this series.
Prediction: New Zealand to win.
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