The current South African national team will look to emulate their predecessors from 2000 with a fine show in the 11th edition of the World Cup. The Dane van Niekerk-led side will open their 2017 World Cup campaign against Pakistan at Grace Road. With the likes of Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, van Niekerk, Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Shabnim Ismail and Trisha Chetty in their ranks, African country can be considered as the darkhorses of the Tourney.

Du Preez, who captained South Africa in over 40 ODIs, is the most experienced cricketer in the team. Star performer Lee, who idolizes Lance Klusener, can pack a punch with the willow in hand. Van Niekerk, the captain, has been struggling with a foot injury but is expected to play in their opening game. The legspinning all-rounder is arguably the best player in the current line-up. One of the main strengths of the South African side is the kind of variety they have in the bowling line-up.

South Africa’s record against Pakistan has been impressive in recent times, winning four of their last five ODIs against the Asian country. Incidentally, the two countries have never played an ODI in England.

Pakistan, their opponents, progressed to the World Cup via Qualifiers where they finished fourth in the Super Six Stage. Pakistan come into the tournament on the back of ODI whitewashes at the hands of New Zealand, England and West Indies.

It perhaps resulted in Pakistan’s selectors ringing in a raft of changes. Sabih Azhar, the former Rawalpindi pacer, replaced Kabir Khan as the coach. Wicket-keeper Sidra Nawaz has made her way back into the set-up after missing the World Cup qualifiers due to injury. Asmavia Iqbal and Kainat Imtiaz, the two medium pacers, Diana Baig and Marina Iqbal, both all-rounders, and uncapped Waheeda Akhtar have also been picked.

Their win over West Indies during the warm up should serve the other teams a timely reminder about what Pakistan can achieve on their day.

Pakistan will depend on their captain, Sana Mir, to tie down South Africa’s formidable batting line-up with her tidy off-spinners.