In the first match of the day, Pakistan will take on South Africa in a high intensity clash. Both the teams are strong contenders for the title and will want to start off with a bang.

Pakistan are the most successful team in the T20 World Cup so far and also did play very well in this edition of the tournament. They will look to sustain their momentum whereas South Africa would want to shed their ‘chokers’ tag.

Expect a high voltage clash when these heavyweights collide today.

Here are few of the players who will be in thick of action in today’s match:

South Africa:

AB de Villiers: The skipper was phenomenal in the rain curtailed group stage match against Sri Lanka. He got off the blocks very soon and took the attack on to the opposition bowlers. He is a vital cog in the Proteas batting line-up and his team will expect a substantial contribution for him.

Richard Levi: The explosive right handed opening batsman has created a niche for himself in this format of the game. He has the distinction of scoring the fastest T20 century and also has scored a half century.

Dale Steyn:  Dale Steyn is one of the fiercest fast bowlers in the world and can any rattle batting line-up. Steyn will be up against some of the greatest batsmen and would want to make early inroads.

Johan Botha: Sri Lankan pitches have always been helpful for the spinners and Botha will look to exploit the conditions. Botha is a very experienced campaigner and his ability to deliver during crunch situations makes him a very tough bowler in this format.

Pakistan:

Imran Nazir: Imran Nazir is a world class player when it comes to this format of the game. He is very talented but then inconsistency has seen him lose his place in the team often. He got a chance in this World Cup after a long time and he made full use of it. He played a very effective hand against Bangladesh and if he can continue that form, South Africa will find it very difficult.

Nasir Jamshed: He has played a couple of brilliant knocks in the tournament. He connects almost everything that comes his way. He will be looking to carry on with his good run.

Saeed Ajmal: He is probably the most dangerous bowler in this tournament. Ajmal took four wickets against New Zealand and bowled all his overs in the later part of the innings when the New Zealanders were looking to accelerate. Ajmal had a tremendous year in all the three formats and he is a genuine match winner. He is very aggressive and being a spinner loves to bowl in crunch situations

Umar Gul: He is another bowler who can change the course of the match in a matter of few deliveries. Gul bowls at a decent pace and is very unpredictable with his lengths. He can bowl very well in the death overs. Gul did not have a good tournament so far but then it is just matter of time that he gets his rhythm back.

By Indian Sports News Network