South African method vs Pakistani flair
The stage is set for what promises to be a fascinating clash of opposites in the first semi-final of the Twenty20 World Cup. International pariahs versus the current golden boys; a team that makes as much news on the field as off it versus a side that has redefined professionalism in cricket; the mercurial, fluctuating, stunningly brilliant one-day and maddeningly inconsistent the next versus the remorseless, consistent, well-oiled machine - it truly is Pakistani Flair versus South African Method.
In a Twenty20 match, it is the form of the day that counts - we've seen that countless times - but by looking at the path of the two teams, we could make a more educated guess as to who is likely to be firing.
South Africa have won against every opponent they've faced. They demolished Scotland, squeaked through by 1 run against New Zealand, knocked over England, held off the West Indies, and hammered the final nail in India's coffin. Those wins make for a pretty impressive CV. Their main batsmen have been Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers - which lends some credence to the theory of looking at past results, since both were in superb touch in the IPL too.
The bowling burden has been shouldered by the young Wayne Parnell alongwith van der Merwe and Dale Steyn.
So far, they've looked like the complete package, with no obvious weaknesses. The only way for Pakistan to get past them, would be to put in a brilliant bowling performance. Pakistan's stronger suit is their bowling, while South Africa's would be their batting - but only by a small margin, because the bowling has responded brilliantly to pressure situations and tight chases so far. However, Pakistan need Gul, Ajmal, Afridi and co to be on target and incisive, so that they can make the job easier for their batsmen.
Pakistan themselves have not had the smoothest ride into the semi-finals, with losses against England and Sri Lanka, and only one win against a major country (New Zealand). That win however, was so emphatic, it firmly put Pakistan in the radar of every other team. More than just the victory though, it was the manner in which it was achieved that brought the spring back into the Pakistanis steps. Their batting load has been borne by Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan so far, but they will need the other batsmen to contribute more heavily if they want to go all the way. The one heartening aspect is that Shahid Afridi seems to have found some vestiges of his old form with the bat, and is no longer looking like a specialist bowler in the side.
The favourites heading into the match, will be South Africa, but as history has shown, going into the match as favourites counts for very little. It is how you're standing at the end of the match that matters.
Numbers Game:
64 - The percentage of wickets accounted for by Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal out of all the wickets Pakistan have taken so far in the tournament. Pakistan have used 8 bowlers, which means the other six have accounted for just 36%. Include Shahid Afridi in the picture and the percentage goes up to 86.
5.30 - Van der Merwe's economy rate in the tournament, which is the best by any bowler who has bowled at least 10 overs.
Soundbytes:
"We are slow starters but we never give up. If we lose a game we regroup fast and go out and prove ourselves." - Younis Khan
"How we've played under pressure has been incredible. Pakistan are a talented team who will arrive expecting to beat us. Regardless of who deserves to win going into a semi-final it's about who plays best on the day. It's a simple matter." - Graeme Smith.
Watch out for...
Albie Morkel has been a quiet, steady ever-present through South Africa's tournament. But he is capable of bigger, more explosive things especially with the bat and this match - and potentially the next - are the best platforms for it.
Shahid Afridi's moment turned the tournament for Pakistan, an outstanding catch hastening New Zealand's collapse, and possibly himself - at least with the bat. Since then he has batted with rare sense, as everyone has wished him to, and at little expense to his strike rate. He will be a factor with the ball anyway, but if he gets going with the bat, then South Africa will panic.
Team news
Pakistan have finally settled upon what they feel is their best line-up, more by chance than design. Barring injury, there are unlikely to be any changes.
Pakistan: (probable) 1 Shahzaib Hassan, 2 Kamran Akmal (wk), 3 Shoaib Malik, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq, 5 Younis Khan (capt), 6 Abdul Razzaq, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Fawad Alam, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Mohammad Aamer, 11 Saeed Ajmal
Jacques Kallis will come back in for Morne Morkel after being rested for the dead game against India.
South Africa: (probable) 1 Graeme Smith, 2 Jacques Kallis, 3 Herschelle Gibbs, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 JP Duminy, 6 A Morkel, 7 M Boucher, 8 Johan Botha, 9 Roelof van der Merwe, 10 Wayne Parnell, 11 Dale Steyn
Pitch and conditions
The surface for this match is two along from the one that turned square for the South Africa-India match and is expected to be harder and offer less help for the spinners. However, the slow bowlers have had an impact throughout so are still likely to be key. Steady rain arrived in Nottingham on the practice day, but is due to clear overnight and the forecast for Thursday is fine.
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