After a resounding 3-0 whitewash saw the Proteas emerge victorious after the three-match Test series against Pakistan, the sides turn to the ODI format as No 4 takes on No 5 in the ICC World Rankings.

For both sides, final preparations for the World Cup begins in earnest now as they search for their strongest XI to contest the World Cup in England from May to July.

According to CSA chief executive officer Thabang Moroe, Ottis Gibson’s contract stipulates a World Cup win as a term to determine his future as the Proteas coach. This makes sense, as the term ‘Vision 2019’ was thrown around from the moment he walked into the role in August 2017.

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The experimental phase should have ended by now and the Proteas would have been expected to have provided their best XI with a chance to build momentum leading up to the tournament that starts on 30 May when hosts England face South Africa at The Oval in London.

However, there are still potential debutants being selected in the Proteas ODI squad to face Pakistan in the five-match ODI series, with Rassie van der Dussen and Duanne Olivier the new additions to the squad, both of whom could quite conceivably see some game time in the opening two matches with Quinton de Kock and Dale Steyn being rested.

The two new caps-in-waiting owe their selections largely to their sensational performances in the recent MSL, with Van der Dussen (469 runs) and Olivier (20 wickets) topping the inaugural MSL runs and wickets list.

There still remain question marks, however, over the No 3 and No 6 positions, hence Van der Dussen and Markram’s inclusion, which will provide competition for Reeza Hendricks and Heinrich Klaasen. There also remains uncertainty regarding whether or not the selectors will settle on the two all-rounders system or go with just one.

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For Pakistan, after the red-ball whitewash they suffered in the Test series, they now enter a world that is more familiar territory for them – the white ball format. Having won the ICC champions trophy in 2017, Mickey Arthur’s men are ranked No 1 in the world in the T20 format. This makes them a more difficult opponent and a sterner test for the home side.

The visitors had mixed results last season. They drew to New Zealand 1-1 in the UAE, lost to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup Super Four, beat Zimbabwe 5-0, lost in New Zealand 5-0 and beat Sri Lanka 5-0 in the UAE.

They will be a tough outfit to beat, especially against a Proteas side that is still applying the finishing touches to their World Cup game plan.

Players to Watch

It will be interesting to see who the Proteas select in the opening two matches in the absence of De Kock and Steyn. Both Markram and Van der Dussen are natural replacements for De Kock and will be major threats as they hunt for a permanent position in the side.

Olivier’s 24 wickets in the Test series could tempt selectors to give him a go in the opening two ODIs with Cobras bowler Dane Paterson also in contention to replace Steyn in one or both of the opening two ODIs.

Pakistan have a refocused Mohammad Hafeez back in the mix – although he has now retired from Test cricket he is still available for the limited overs format. The 38-year-old is ranked No 4 on the all-rounder rankings and will add valuable experience to a young Pakistan side.

Potential XIs

Proteas

1) Hashim Amla
2) Aiden Markram/Rassie van der Dussen
3) Reeza Hendricks
4) Faf du Plessis
5) David Miller
6) Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
7) Andile Phehlukwayo
8) Kagiso Rabada
9) Dane Paterson
10) Duanne Olivier
11) Imran Tahir

Pakistan

Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images