SA vs PAK 2nd Test Preview: A Clash of Titans at Newlands, Cape Town

As Pakistan prepares to take on South Africa in the second Test match of their series at Newlands, Cape Town, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Set to begin on January 3, the match promises excitement, drama, and pivotal performances as both teams aim to make their mark in international cricket.

Image Source: GETTY | SA vs PAK 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction

Match Details

Match: Pakistan Tour of South Africa 2024-25, 2nd Test
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Date & Time: January 3-7, 2:00 PM IST | 10:30 AM Local Time
Broadcasting and Streaming: Sports18 Network and Jiocinema

Context of the Series

After losing the first Test in Centurion by a narrow margin of two wickets, Pakistan is eager to avoid a series loss and turn the tide in their favor. South Africa, fresh off their victory, has already secured a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final, adding another layer of motivation to their campaign as they seek a clean sweep against Pakistan.

Team News and Player Updates

South Africa:
The home team has made crucial adjustments ahead of the second Test. 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka has been awarded his first Test cap, stepping in for Dane Paterson. Moreover, Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder return to the playing XI after recovering from injuries, reinforcing an already formidable bowling line-up. The confirmed playing XI for South Africa features:

Ryan Rickleton
Aiden Markram
Wiaan Mulder
Tristan Stubbs
Temba Bavuma (C)
David Bedingham
Kyle Verreynne (wk)
Marco Jansen
Keshav Maharaj
Kagiso Rabada
Kwena Maphaka

Pakistan:
On the other side, Shan Masood leads a Pakistani squad looking to bounce back. The batting lineup appears solid with key players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan who are expected to anchor the innings. The anticipated playing XI for Pakistan includes:

Shan Masood (C)
Saim Ayub
Babar Azam
Kamran Ghulam
Saud Shakeel
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Salman Ali Agha
Aamer Jamal
Naseem Shah
Mohammad Abbas
Khurram Shahzad

Dream11 Fantasy Picks

The upcoming Test offers a wealth of options for fantasy cricket enthusiasts. Here’s a suggested Dream11 team:

Wicketkeeper: Mohammad Rizwan
Batters: Aiden Markram, Babar Azam, Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs
All-rounders: Marco Jansen (C), Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub (VC)
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Naseem Shah

Captaincy Choices:

Aiden Markram has shown exceptional form with scores of 89 and 37 in his previous outing, making him a key player to watch.
Marco Jansen, also an exciting captaincy option, impressed with a six-wicket haul and has emerged as one of the top-ranked bowlers, further enhancing his value as an all-rounder.

Conclusion

As the second Test unfolds, fans can expect a thrilling match-up filled with tactical battles and extraordinary performances. Both teams come with unique strengths and weaknesses that will be tested on the pitch. With South Africa’s bowlers aiming to capitalize on home advantage and Pakistan’s batsmen under pressure to perform, this encounter is set to be a captivating chapter in this series.

Make sure to catch the live action starting January 3, and stay tuned for a fascinating test of skills, strategy, and sportsmanship!