South Africa vs Pakistan Cricket World Cup - Ul-Haq to make South African bowlers sweat

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 22 Jun 2019

Ralph Staniforth 22 Jun 2019

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Value in the total runs market at Lord's

Expired

South Africa are slight favourites against Pakistan in the 2019 Cricket World Cup fixture at The Oval (Gettty Images)

South Africa vs Pakistan Cricket World Cup Preview, Predictions, Betting Tips & Live Stream

South Africa and Pakistan meet at Lord's with both teams’ 2019 Cricket World Cup hopes of qualification all but gone. I am tipping Imam-Ul-Haq to score over 35.5 runs as he has done in two of his last three innings.

In the last two ODI’s at Lord's the total match runs has gone over 544.5 so I believe there is value in it happening again at 1.90.

South Africa Form & Team News

South Africa’s World Cup dreams lie in tatters. They are all but out of the World Cup after yet another poor display against New Zealand at Edgbaston.

The South African batsmen failed again, only managing a total of 241 runs. Their world class bowling line-up almost saved the day but Chris Morris’ 3-49 was not enough as New Zealand got home with three balls to spare.

The Proteas are favourites for this clash but with their batsmen out of form it is too risky backing them at 1.72. The value for me lies in the total match runs market where Lord's has seen over 544.5 runs in its last two matches.

For that reason my best bet will be for the match to go over 544.5 runs at 1.90.

Kennington Oval — The Oval has seen two high scoring games in its last two matches (Getty Images)

Pakistan Form & Team News

Pakistan’s inconsistencies have come back to haunt them at the Cricket World Cup. Their last match against arch-rivals India at Old Trafford was billed as a do-or-die affair and they came up well short.

Left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been head and shoulders above his teammates. Against India Amir took 3-47 as India cut and slashed their way to a mammoth a 336 run total. Pakistan only managed 212 and lost by 89 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method.

On the batting front Babar Azam and Imam-Ul-Haq have been consistent but there has been little support from other quarters. Earlier this year in an ODI series against South Africa Ul-Haq was in superb form and averaged 52.2 runs.

Pakistan can be backed for victory against the struggling South Africans at 2.10 but I am leaning towards batsman runs scored market. I am tipping Imam-Ul-Haq to score over 35.5 runs at 1.90 as he continues his domination over the Proteas.

South Africa vs Pakistan Head to Head

Pakistan hold a slender 4-3 advantage over their last seven ODI’s against South Africa, however South Africa have won three of the last four.

South Africa vs Pakistan Live Stream

Live streaming the South Africa vs Pakistan Cricket World Cup match on bet365 is a useful way of keeping up with all the action on your iPhone, iPad, Android device or computer. Please see terms and conditions at bet365.

South Africa vs Pakistan Match Up

Chris Morris took 3-49 in the last match against New Zealand and has turned out to be the surprise package in a struggling Proteas line-up. The men from the tip of Africa are still waiting for key men Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir to produce their best form.

Imam-Ul-Haq has been important to Pakistan’s performances over the last couple of years and will be relied upon to see off the South African opening bowlers.

Imam-Ul-Haq batting — Imam-Ul-Haq averaged over 52 against South Africa in a series earlier this season (Getty Images)

South Africa vs Pakistan Key Statistics

Pakistan’s Imam-Ul-Haq averages 54.2 in 5 matches against South Africa in 2019.
Pakistan’s Imam-Ul-Haq has a career average of 55.29 in ODI cricket.
Pakistan’s Imam-Ul-Haq has scored over 35.5 in 2 of his last 3 ODI matches.
Lord's has seen over 544.5 runs in its last two matches.

Verdict

I am tipping this match to go over 544.5 runs at 1.90 due to a Lord's recent record of producing batsmen friendly pitches. There is value in Imam-Ul-Haq to score over 35.5 runs after his impressive displays against South Africa this year.

Best Bet: Over 544.5 Total Match Runs @ 1.90 at bet365 - 4 Units

Under/Over Tip: Imam-Ul-Haq Over 35.5 Runs @ 1.90 at bet365 - 3 Units