Pakistan v South Africa: Dodgy Levi a Proteas weak point

Pakistan go into this game with South Africa as underdogs despite winning 10 of their last 14 t20 internationals.

The Proteas are 8/11 favourites to kick off their involvement in the Super Eights with a victory and head into the game off the back of two successive wins so far in the t20 World Cup, as well as beating Pakistan in their previous two in this form of the game.

They have been solid at the top of the order so far, with no one batting lower than fourth having to pad up. With a -1.5 handicap, South Africa’s opening pair are priced up at 5/6 to outscore their counterparts from Pakistan.

However, the Pakistanis represent the more favourable bet in this market. Mohammed Hafeez and Imran Nazir have outscored the Proteas’ favoured pair in both of their previous games this tournament. The handicap is weighted in their advantage too with +1.5 runs; they won’t need it if Hafeez and Nazir’s form continues.

Richard Levi, one of the South African openers, is the weak link in their batting line up and the 5/6 available for him to score under 20.5 runs is a bet well worth having a punt on.

Since he took Greame Smith’s place in the t20 side almost a year ago, Levi has batted 10 times for his country. He scored a monstrous 117 to mark his second cap, as well as a 50 against Zimbabwe in South Africa’s first game of the competition.

The eight other innings, however, he has failed to get above 20 runs, picking up single figure scores in four of his last five outings.

He will be up against a Pakistan attack brimming with talent, especially in the slower ball department, which makes this bet one of the best on offer for the whole tournament.

All odds and markets accurate as of publications’ time and date