Pakistan vs. South Africa Betting Tips: Stick with de Kock in the Top Batsman market

South Africa will look to continue their fine Cricket World Cup form on Friday morning when they come up against a Pakistan side hoping to close the gap on the sides currently in the top four. Here at BettingOdds.com we preview the clash between South Africa and Pakistan, and Andy Francis picks out his two best bets for the match

Top Batsman Quinton de Kock -  6/1 with Sky Bet

South Africa have been in imperious form, their shock defeat to Netherlands aside, winning their four other matches and putting themselves in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals.

Quinton de Kock has been leading his side from the front, scoring 407 runs in five matches, leading the way in the top run scorers charts. The 30-year-old has been the main man in the tournament so far, hitting 50 more runs than any other player in the opening five matches. 

He’s also hit the most fours (39) and the joint most sixes (17 with Rohit Sharma) signifying his importance to the South Africa batting team. Another performance befitting those figures could see him pick up another top batsman award, making it his third time at the top of the rankings.

de Kock, currently priced at 6/1 to be the top batsman with Sky Bet, will lead the batting order for South Africa, with that price looking far too big.

Coetzee has been in great form for South Africa, taking 10 wickets in just four matches and possessing the third highest strike rate in the tournament so far. 

Coetzee isn’t likely to make much of an impact with the bat, taking to the crease just twice this tournament and scoring 25 runs, but if he can make the ball move the way he has been in recent games, he could be a great outside pick to be named Man of the Match against a Pakistan side that have averaged 281 runs across their five matches. 

A win for South Africa would put them on 10 points, leaving them on the cusp of qualification, whilst Pakistan would be on six points if they pick up the victory and give them a real chance of breaking into the top four.