Birmingham: In what could be a big blow to South Africa, tearaway pacer Dale Steyn may miss their must-win Champions Trophy match against Pakistan here on Monday as he has not recovered fully from the side strain he suffered in a warm-up game.
South Africa captain AB de Villiers said a final decision has not been taken on the fast bowler but his fitness was not looking good. Steyn had missed South Africa’s first match against India on June 6.
“Chances are that he’ll only be ready for the last one. We’re still hanging on to that last little bit of hope that Styen could wake up tomorrow morning and do a bit of a fitness test and look good for the game,” de Villiers said ahead of Monday’s match.
He said all-rounder Chris Morris is all set to make his ODI debut at Edgbaston.
For both South Africa and Pakistan, the fixture is a crunch game.
Both teams have lost their opening games against India and the West Indies respectively.
Nothing short of a win will keep the two teams afloat in a short tournament where four teams make a group.
South Africa had defeated Pakistan by 124 runs at Mohali in October 2006 in the only time the two nations met in the Champions Trophy. On current form, it’s difficult to predict a clear favourite.
South Africa are wary about Pakistan’s bowling attack and de Villiers made a special mention of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.
“Pakistan obviously have got a world class spinner in Ajmal and they’re a very good team as well, just very different to India. India have a very strong batting lineup right throughout the order, whereas Pakistan have probably got a stronger bowling attacking.
“We played them (Pakistan) in the recent past in South Africa and in the warm up game in London. We know them very well, and we’re looking forward to the challenge tomorrow,” said de Villiers.
Meanwhile, captain Misbah-ul-Haq said the absence of Steyn and Morne Morkel will give Pakistan the mental edge in their match.
Morkel is back in South Africa after an injury in the first match against India on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of the crucial Group B match at Edgbaston, Misbah said they will surely have some advantage but they cannot afford to relax.
“Obviously, when main players of the opponent’s team are missing, it will give you a psychological advantage.
“But at the same time, we are aware of the fact that they are a good team. They won a game against us when both of Steyn and Morkel weren’t playing in South Africa. So, they are a quality side, and at the moment their strength is their batting. So we just can’t relax,” he said. (PTI)