Keen contest on cards in T20 match

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The second Twenty-20 match between South Africa and Pakistan will be played at SuperSportPark, Centurion on today. The match will start 17.30 hours (PST).

The first Twenty-20 international match at Durban on Friday (March 1) was abandoned without a ball being bowled. It had been raining in Durban for more than five hours prior to the start of play, and the chances of a game going ahead were slim with puddles around the outfield and the showers not relenting. Even around half-an-hour after the scheduled time for the toss, the umpires said it would take at least two hours to get the ground in playable condition once the rain stopped. That didn’t happen and the umpires called off the game at 6.30pm, two hours and eight minutes before the cut-off time for a five-over fixture.

Sunday’s match will be the seventh match between South Africa and Pakistan in Twenty-20 cricket and second in South Africa.

South Africa have won three and Pakistan three in six previous meetings between the two teams in Twenty-20 cricket.

South Africa have won the only Twenty-20 match against Pakistan at home. They recorded a perfect 10-wicket win over Pakistan at Johannesburg on February 2, 2007.

South Africa, fifth in ICC rankings in Twenty-20 cricket, have won 34, lost 20 and abandoned one in 55 Twenty-20 matches played so far. Pakistan have won 39, lost 25 and tied two in 66 matches played so far. They are ranked sixth in latest ICC rankings.

HIGHEST INNINGS TOTALS: South Africa scored 142 for five in 20 overs at Nottingham on June 18, 2009 which is their highest total against Pakistan in Twenty-20 cricket. Pakistan’s highest against South Africa is 149 for four in 20 overs at Nottingham on June 18, 2009.

LOWEST INNINGS TOTALS: South Africa scored 133 for six in 20 overs at Colombo on September 28, 2012 which is their lowest ever total against Pakistan. Pakistan’s lowest against South Africa is 119 in 19.5 overs at Abu Dhabi on October 26, 2010.

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES: Graeme Smith who made an unbeaten 71 off 40 balls with nine fours and four sixes at Johannesburg on February 2, 2007 holds the record of highest individual score on either side. The record of highest individual score for Pakistan is shared by Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal. Shahid Afridi made 51 at Nottingham on June 18, 2009 while Umar Akmal scored the same number of runs at Gros Islet on May 10, 2010.

BEST BOWLING IN AN INNINGS: Charl Langeveldt’s four for 19 is the best bowling performance for South Africa against Pakistan. In the same match, Saaed Ajmal took four wickets for 26 runs which is best for Pakistan against South Africa.

PERFORMANCE IN TWENTY-20 CRICKET:

Type                     P          W        L         T        N/R     Success%

South Africa     55        34        20        –           1          62.72

Pakistan             66         39       25        2           –          60.60

S.A v Pak             5           3          3          –           –          50.00