Saturday 7 March 2015 08:17, UK
Pakistan go into their World Cup Group B game with South Africa on Saturday knowing victory would leave their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the competition in their own hands.
Opening defeats against India and West Indies left Pakistan off the pace but back-to-back wins against Zimbabwe and UAE have boosted their chances of progressing.
Pakistan face a tough test against the Proteas at Eden Park in Auckland and could re-jig their top order, with the promotion of wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed to opener one of the options available to them.
Younis Khan could also come into the side, with Haris Sohail struggling with a heel injury.
South Africa duo JP Duminy and Vernon Philander have passed fitness tests, which could see changes to their starting XI.
Pakistan’s main task will be to stem the tide of runs scored by South Africa, who have recorded scores of 400-plus against West Indies and Ireland.
Head coach of Pakistan Waqar Younis feels batsmen already hold sway over bowlers, due to mandatory fielding restrictions and improved bat technology, leading to high-scoring contests becoming commonplace.
"People want to see big sixes and all that, and that's why the rules have been changed in the recent past," he said.
"The wickets have become flatter, and the batsmen are a lot fitter and the bats are thicker, so there are a lot of things going in batters' favour.
"I guess it's a crowd-pull thing but for me, I believe it should be an even contest.
"It is a little unfair to faster bowlers, or to any bowlers. Especially when the field is (in), you don't really know which way to bowl.”
Ireland are also in action in the same Pool on Saturday where they will take on Zimbabwe, knowing a win would greatly boost their chances of advancing to the last-eight.
William Porterfield’s side still have to face defending champions India - who are already guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals after their win over West Indies on Friday – as well as Pakistan, meaning Ireland will be keen to avoid any slip-ups against Zimbabwe in Hobart.
Ireland lost to South Africa by 201 runs in their last group game but Porterfield is keen to stress they have not been adversely affected by that result.
"You've got to put it behind yourself pretty quickly," he said. "The tournament's back-end fixtures come pretty quickly for us.
"It's a pretty big two points for us... (but) I don't think it's make or break. Every game, we've gone into it looking for those two points... and against Zimbabwe it's not going to be any different."
Zimbabwe will be without their captain Elton Chigumbura, after the all-rounder tore a thigh muscle fielding during last weekend's 20-run defeat against Pakistan in Brisbane.
Ireland have a fully-fit squad to choose from.
In the day’s other game, co-hosts New Zealand take on Afghanistan in a Pool A encounter having won all four games to date in the World Cup, ensuring their passage to the knockout stages.
That allows them the freedom to shuffle their pack but Daniel Vettori feels the selectors may resist that temptation, with the Black Caps not having played since they defeated Australia last Saturday.
"The fact is most of the guys won't have played for a week anyway, so everyone's in that situation where they're ready for some game time," said former captain Vettori.
"It's been a long time between games (for us), and it's something that we are not used to.
"We play every couple of days - so once a week is a little bit of a challenge."
Watch all the games on Sky Sports. Coverage of South Africa v Pakistan begins on Sky Sports World Cup at 12:30am, with New Zealand v Afghanistan on the same channel from 9pm on Saturday.
Ireland v Zimbabwe is available on Sky Sports 4 at 3:15am.
