South Africa face Pakistan

South Africa takes on Pakistan in today’s Champions Trophy game as favourites in the Group B match-up. South Africa are the highest ranked team in the Champions Trophy while Pakistan lie at the eighth, lowest among the teams in the tournament.

Pakistan however won the last encounter between the two sides, winning a World Cup 2015 game 29 runs (D/L). Pakistan have also won the last three of the five encounters between the two sides.

If South Africa win today they will qualify for the semifinals.

South Africa would be looking to continue their good vein of form as the number one ranked ODI team.

Players to watch for:

South Africa

South African’s have the advantage in the bowling department.

Kagiso Rabada is the highest-ranked ODI bowler in the ICC rankings. A close second behind him? -- Another South African – Imran Tahir.

Rabada is coming off the back of a spell which saw his team demolish a strong England batting line up at the Lord’s in the ODI series – Rabada picking up 4-39.

Imran Tahir will be a cause for concern for the Pakistan batsmen, the leg-spinner picking up 4-27 in the previous game against Sri Lanka.

As far as batting is concerned Hashim Amla is the man to watch out for – the classy opener is coming off the back off a 103 against Sri Lanka. The right-hander has an average of 47.94 against Pakistan and it only gets better – his batting average on English soil is 61.54.

Pakistan

Pakistan will hope that Ahmed Shehzad can come good in today’s fixture. The batsman has a promising 38.6 against South Africa.

The team would be looking unleash strike bowler Mohammed Amir on South Africa. Promising leg-spinner Shadab Khan will also like to make a mark on South African players who aren't overtly fond of facing quality spin bowling.

Form guide

Results in last five matches -

South Africa WWLLW

Pakistan LWWLL