Pakistan v South Africa 1st Test – 26/01/2020

Pakistan v South Africa 1st Test Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Predictions – 26/01/2021

Pakistan and South Africa will play the first Test of their two-match series this week. This is a long-awaited return to Pakistan for the Proteas.

Discover our free cricket betting tips for this fixture. Our team of experts also have valuable information about the best Indian betting sites to use.

Pakistan v South Africa 1st Test – Match Preview

Pakistan and South Africa have played 26 Tests. The Proteas have won 15 of those, with four defeats and seven draws.

Pakistan have lost only two of their last 10 Tests in Karachi. The National Stadium is quite a fortress for them. One of those two defeats was to South Africa.

Where: National Stadium, Karachi

When: Tuesday, 26 January 2021

Start time: 10:30 IST (05:00 GMT)

Pitch conditions: The captain to win the toss will likely choose to bat first. The aim will be to bat once and bowl the opposition out twice on a deteriorating pitch. Both teams will probably play two specialist spinners in dry, turning conditions.

Weather conditions: There is no rain forecast for this week in Karachi. Humidity levels will be high and the weather typical of the sub-continent – hot and dry.

Pakistan v South Africa 1st Test – Latest Odds

1xBet are on our best cricket betting sites list. We are big fans and enjoyed how they covered the IPL and BBL with a wide variety of markets. This should continue into this Test series.

They priced this match nice and early. Pakistan are 2.08 favourites and South Africa 2.67 underdogs. A draw is offered at 5.45.

Pakistan v South Africa 1st Test – Team News

• Babar Azam – This will be Azam’s first Test as Pakistan captain. He can’t let the added responsibility affect his primary role with the bat.
• Quinton de Kock – Like Azam, de Kock is relatively new to Test captaincy. He doesn’t want the role in the long-term. He’ll likely bat in the middle order, rather than open the batting like he does in ODIs and T20Is.
• Kyle Verreynne – The Proteas have the uncapped Verreynne in the squad. He is an excellent player of spin and might be given a debut in Karachi.
• Yasir Shah – Shah is one of the best leg-spinners in world cricket. Turning the ball away from the Proteas right-handers, he could be lethal.
• Haris Rauf – Rauf has made a name for himself around the world, especially for the Melbourne Stars in Australia’s Big Bash League. His extra pace could trouble the opposition batsmen.

Pakistan v South Africa 1st Test – Betting Tips and Prediction

Here are more free cricket betting tips to help you make stronger decisions. These tips are based on great odds and the form of the players.

Select Shah as Pakistan’s Top Bowler in the First Innings

Yasir Shah has over 200 wickets in under 50 Tests and is among the best leg-spinners in the world right now. He’ll lead Pakistan’s slow-bowling resources.

He performs well abroad and, back at home, will be a real threat, even in the first innings before the pitch starts to deteriorate.

Funbet have prices for all Pakistan’s bowlers, but we really like Shah at 4.0 with Funbet to be the top bowler for the tourists in the first innings.

Back du Plessis to Be South Africa’s Top Batsman in the First Innings

The Proteas squad has very little to no experience in Pakistan. Faf du Plessis, however, has played international cricket in the country with the ICC World XI.

He also has insight into sub-continental conditions, having batted a lot in India for South Africa and during the Indian Premier League.

Freed of the Test captaincy and in some decent form, du Plessis is a solid price at 3.75 with 10CRIC to be the top batsman for South Africa in their first innings.

Go for a Long-Odds Bet with Rauf as Your Player of the Match

Haris Rauf has become somewhat of a household name around the world now, having performed well for the Melbourne Stars in the BBL.

He has played well in ODI and T20I cricket and is on the brink of breaking into the Test XI. His extra speed could serve him well in trying conditions.

Rauf is a decent long-odds option at 17.0 with 22Bet to be the player of the match. This could bring great value for those who bet on the emerging fast bowler.

Read our round-up of the best cricket match betting tips free of charge.