South Africa and Pakistan will contest the third ODI at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday. The hosts’ record in the intermediate format of the game at this venue is average, writes Jonhenry Wilson.
- Half against Pakistan, about two-thirds against others
The Proteas and Pakistanis have contested six ODIs here. The home side have won three. Their last ODI outing at SuperSport Park was in November 2013, when the hosts won a low-scoring affair. Overall, the Proteas have won two dozen of their 38 ODIs here.
- Four half-centurions and February fun
South Africa’s highest ODI score at the ground was against Pakistan. February 2007 yielded a hefty 392 for six on the back of half-centuries from openers Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers, all-rounder Jacques Kallis and wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher.
- None for, none against, but two regardless
No South African has scored an ODI century against Pakistan here. Pakistan have two ODI centurions in Centurion, but not against the Proteas. All-rounder Shoaib Malik struck 128 against India during the 2009 Champions Trophy, and Saeed Anwar gathered 101 versus the same opposition in the 2003 World Cup.
- 50 going on 17
The veteran Hashim Amla is South Africa’s highest ODI run-scorer at this ground. The right-hander has collected 879 of his 7812 ODI career runs here. His Centurion ODI average of 67.61 is more than 17 runs higher than his career aggregate of 50.07.
- Win toss, bowl first
Seven of South Africa’s last eight ODI losses at this venue have come when bowling second. India are the most recent recipients of this poor Proteas trend, having won February 2018’s twin ODIs at Centurion by nine and eight wickets.
- Historical lower-order theatre
Tail-ender Hasan Ali’s theatrics in the second ODI at Kingsmead was an omen, of sorts. Pakistan hold the highest ODI 10th-wicket partnership at SuperSport Park. Malik and number 11 Mohammad Asif shared 30 against the Proteas in February 2007.
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