Pakistan vs South Africa, 2nd ODI

The much-anticipated 2nd ODI between Pakistan and South Africa at Iqbal Stadium promises a thrilling encounter. Pakistan, playing at home, have shown resilient form in recent matches, buoyed by the consistency of their batting lineup and tactical bowling changes. Their recent victories were marked by aggressive starts from their top order and disciplined death overs by their pace attack. South Africa, known for their aggressive and dynamic cricket, have also been in good form. Their middle order has been pivotal in chasing down challenging totals, while their bowling unit, especially the seamers, has adapted well to subcontinent conditions. Historically, the head-to-head clashes between these two teams in ODIs have been competitive, with South Africa slightly edging Pakistan in previous encounters owing to their stable batting depth and flexible bowling combinations. However, the home advantage cannot be understated for Pakistan, who are familiar with the pitch and environmental conditions at Iqbal Stadium. Strategically, Pakistan will likely focus on leveraging their spinning options in the middle overs and aim for quick runs at the top to set or chase a solid total. South Africa may rely on quick singles and strong partnerships to counter spin and accelerate in the final overs. Key players like Babar Azam for Pakistan and Temba Bavuma for South Africa will be crucial in anchoring innings, while bowlers such as Shaheen Afridi and Kagiso Rabada could influence the match outcome significantly. #### AI suggested match winner Pakistan: 53%, South Africa: 47%

If Pakistan bats first, considering the pitch conditions at Iqbal Stadium which typically favour batsmen with some assistance for spinners later on, they are likely to post a total in the range of 280-300 runs. Their strong top order and depth in middle order can capitalize on the early pitch conditions. On the other hand, if South Africa is put in to bat first, they should be aiming for a similar range of 275-295, given their ability to build partnerships and handle subcontinent-like pitches effectively. Both teams have the batting firepower to push the total near 300, but a disciplined bowling effort could restrict the scoring slightly.

Iqbal Stadium pitches have historically been batting-friendly with some assistance to spinners as the game progresses. The average first-innings score at this ground in ODIs is approximately 285, indicating a balanced contest between bat and ball. The chasing record is fairly strong with wins in about 55% of matches, signifying that teams do well under lights and during the second innings at this venue. The weather forecast for November 6, 2025, predicts clear skies with mild humidity and temperatures around 28°C, favoring fast bowlers during the initial overs without extreme heat. Best performances recorded at Iqbal Stadium include Shaheen Afridi's 5-wicket haul for Pakistan and Quinton de Kock's century for South Africa, highlighting the impact of key players at this venue. Best Batsman: Babar Azam (Pakistan) Best Bowler: Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan) Best Player Overall Performance on this ground (ODI): Shaheen Afridi – 5/29

Matches Played	Pakistan Wins	South Africa Wins	Tied/No Result
35	16	18	1

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches (W/L/D)
Pakistan	3W - 2L
South Africa	4W - 1L

Babar Azam – Pakistan’s premier batsman has been in excellent touch, scoring consecutive fifties and providing stability at the top.

Shaheen Afridi – The left-arm pacer continues to shine with early wickets and economical spells, crucial on this pitch.

Shadab Khan – An effective all-rounder, his wicket-taking spin and lower order hitting could turn the game.

Temba Bavuma – South Africa’s dependable middle-order batsman, recently shaping innings with patient and impactful contributions.

Kagiso Rabada – A leading fast bowler known for taking timely wickets and controlling runs, pivotal in South Africa’s bowling attack.

Quinton de Kock – Aggressive opener, who has started recent matches with blazing starts, providing strong momentum for South Africa.