South Africa and Pakistan are set to contest the first ODI of the three-match series at Boland Park in Paarl on Tuesday, December 17.

The Proteas, buoyed by their convincing 2-0 triumph in the previous T20I series, will aim to carry their winning momentum into the 50-over format. Meanwhile, Pakistan will try to regroup and make a strong comeback after their struggles in the shortest version of the game.

Boland Park Play Report

The Boland Park surface is expected to play differently compared to the faster, bouncier tracks of Centurion and Johannesburg. The pitch is expected to be slower, which could suit Pakistan's batting unit and offer them an opportunity to take advantage of the conditions.

Simmers could find early movement with the new ball, making the opening overs crucial for both teams. However, as the match progresses, the surface is expected to settle, becoming more favorable for the batsmen. Spinners could come into play during the first innings with subtle assistance from the field, while pacers are likely to rely on variations such as cutters and slower balls in the later stages to keep the score in check.

With both teams looking to bridge the ODI series, fans can expect an interesting battle as strategies and conditions come into play.

Weather report in Paarl

The temperature in Parl is expected to hover around 23°C and reach a maximum of 28°C during the day, while a light westerly wind of 11 kmph will bring some relief. The chance of rain remains minimal at just 1%, with zero risk of thunderstorms. However, cloud cover is expected to remain high at 88%, creating overcast conditions that could bring challenges for early bullies.

Dense cloud cover could work in favor of the bowlers, especially during the early stages of the match when the new ball could move. This makes the opening exchanges critical for both teams as they look to establish momentum.

Also READ: SA vs PAK 2024 – Pakistan to play KSI for 1st ODI vs South Africa (Predicted)

With no break on the horizon, fans can look forward to non-stop, competitive cricket where both sides will look to take advantage of the favorable playing conditions and put on an interesting show.

Boland Park ODI Stats and Records:

• Total matches: 21
• Matches won by hitting first: 10
• First Bowling Matches Won: 10
• First Innings Average Scores: 237
• Second Innings Average Scores: 184
• Highest Total Recorded: 353/6 (50 Ov) South Africa v Bangladesh
• Lowest Total Recorded: 36/10 (18.4 Ov) by Canada v Sri Lanka
• The highest score achieved: 288/3 (48.1 Overs) South Africa v India
• Lowest score defended: 204/10 (48.5 Ov) India v Netherlands

Also READ: SA vs PAK 2024 - South Africa to play KSI for 1st ODI vs Pakistan (Predicted)