Pak win toss, elect to bat

ST. LUCIA: Two important matches are scheduled today in Super Eight phase of Twenty20 World Cup to be played at the Beausejour Cricket Ground at Gros Islet, St Lucia, as Pakistan and South Africa will clash in the first face-off and England will play New Zealand in the other tug of war.

Pakistan take on South Africa in an important game for both sides. South Africa need to win the match to make it to the semifinals. However, if they lose they will most likely be out due to a poor net run rate.

Two back-to-back defeats in the Super Eight have left defending champions Pakistan with only a slim mathematical chance of making the semis of the World Twenty20. When they face South Africa in their last Group Eight match here Monday, Pakistan will not only be hoping for a big victory, but will also have a prayer on their lips.

On Saturday, Pakistan lost their thrilling Super Eight match to New Zealand by just one run at the Kensington Oval. When they take the field Monday, Pakistan will not only have to win by a big margin but also hope that New Zealand convincingly beat England in the other Group E match.

If New Zealand beat England and South Africa lose then New Zealand are through and if New Zealand lose and South Africa lose too, then Pakistan go through.

South Africa will look to thrash Pakistan to better their net run rate and make sure that they don''t just have to depend on England beating New Zealand to qualify.

South Africa’s Dale Steyn, who had been impressive in the tournament had a rare bad match on Saturday going for a lot of runs against England.

He will have to improve the performance to make sure South Africa restrict Pakistan, whose batting looks really vunerable. Their middle-order is shaky.

In another match, New Zealand will look to seal a spot in the semifinals when they take on England on Monday.

That Kevin Pitersen will miss out as he flies to England to be with his wife during delivery will be advantageous for the Kiwis. However, they will be up against a team that has plenty of other good players and is looking unstoppable.

England’s bowling attack looks sorted out what with Ryan Sidebottom, Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad combining into an effective pace trio, one that has not just throttled runs but also picked regular wickets.

Sidebottom was particularly good against the South Africans picking three wickets. Graeme Swann has bowled his off-spinnners quite effectively.

In the batting department, Craig Kieswetter has been quite a revelation, stocking up a few runs at the top.

New Zealand, despite the loss to South Africa, have had a good tournament thus far. Their bowling, led by Kyle Mills and Shane Bond has looked venomous and Ian Butler has been a good change bowler.