Pakistan has the best chance to make a strong impact before the ICC World Cup 2019 by beating upper-ranked South Africa in the five-match ODI series.
Both the teams have won two ODIs each and the decider is set to take place at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The two teams have battled five times against each other at Newlands in the past. Though South Africa won all first four games but the last ODI between them on November 24, 2013 ended in 23-run triumph to Pakistan.
Last time Pakistan won ODI series decider in 2002
The fifth-ranked Pakistan hasn’t held an impressive record in terms of decisive matches.
Last time, Pakistan won a series decider in ODIs against a higher-ranked team was against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on June 19, 2002.
Whereas South Africa won all of the last five ODI series deciders, it played. However before that, South Africa had to suffer a nine-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in a series decider at Chittagong on July 15, 2015.
Big challenge for Pakistan in Cape Town with series levelled 2-2.
Last time they won a series decider in ODIs against a higher ranked team was against Australia in Brisbane in 2002. #RSAvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 27, 2019
But anything may happen when it comes to unpredictable Pakistan. As on January 27, Pakistan became the first team which ever thrashed South Africa in a Pink Day ODI. Prior to that, South Africa had played seven Pink Day ODIs at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg but never lost a match.
Likewise, South Africa had become a formidable force at Johannesburg because therein it had remained unbeaten in the last seven ODIs.
Pakistan came in this match with only one win in 9 ODIs in Johannesburg and South Africa was undefeated in the last 7 ODIs at the ground. Against all odds, Pakistan win by 8 wickets. Truly an unpredictable team! #RSAvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 27, 2019
Any replacement unlikely in Pakistan playing XI
For the fifth and last ODI at Cape Town, Pakistan is most likely to have an unchanged side led by Shoaib Malik. But South Africa may replace Andile Phehlukwayo with the all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
