Pakistan team is dangerous and unpredictable: Bavuma

CHENNAI: South Africa cricket team captain Temba Bavuma has said that Pakistan remains a formidable opponent despite their recent poor performances in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The two teams are set to face each other in the 26th match of the tournament tomorrow at Chennai’s Chidambaram Stadium, a crucial game for both sides.

Pakistan team, led by Babar Azam, has experienced a string of losses against Afghanistan, Australia, and India in their last three matches. This puts significant pressure on the team to secure a victory in the upcoming match.

Bavuma, although acknowledging South Africa’s strong performance in the tournament, expressed his respect and caution regarding the Pakistan team. He said that they have thoroughly analysed Pakistan’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential threats.

“Pakistan is a dangerous team, and we’re aware that they can perform exceptionally well on any given day,” Bavuma said. “We know that they haven’t played close to their best, but tomorrow could be that. Make sure we are ready for that.”

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Bavuma further recognised Pakistan’s quality as a cricketing opponent and referred to them as one of the top four teams in the tournament from the start. He stressed the unpredictability of the Pakistan team and the need for South Africa to remain focused on playing good cricket.

“We don’t have a great record, to be honest, against Pakistan in ODIs. So, I think with everything that is happening around their team, the things that are not happening well for them. I think that humbles us as a team and it really gets us, I guess, to just pull ourselves back and make sure that we still focus on playing good cricket,” he stated.

Bavuma acknowledged the description of Pakistan as “mercurial,” a term that signifies a team’s ability to perform exceptionally well on some days while struggling on others. South Africa aims to match their performance on a day when Pakistan is at their best.

Regarding possible changes to the squad due to pitch conditions, Bavuma mentioned that the team has not yet finalised its lineup, as they have not seen the wicket. However, he did highlight the significant role expected from bowler Shamsi.

Bavuma further expressed confidence in the team’s abilities and preparations, setting the stage for an intriguing and crucial clash against Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup