OPEN WOUND

PROTEAS stand-in ODI captain Matthew Breetzke is hoping his span can start on the front foot in their series-opener against Pakistan in Faisalabad on Tuesday (12pm start). 

It will all have to start at the very top after the Proteas openers sukkeled to lay a platform in the T20 series at the weekend, in which Pakistan came from behind to win 2-1 with consecutive victories in Lahore.

Quinton de Kock’s return to the Proteas T20 top-order did not go according to plan with the veteran opener only managing 23 in the opening game before back-to-back failures.

The Proteas lost a wicket without scoring in both Lahore encounters that put the rest of the batters under pressure for the remainder of the innings. The ODI batting line-up boasts similar manne to the T20 squad with only Breetzke’s Warriors teammate Sinethemba Qeshile being added to the ODI squad.

Breetzke was unable to confirm whether Qeshile, who has played two T20s, but is uncapped at ODI level will be handed a debut on Tuesday, but is confident the Proteas will put their best foot forward.

Breetzke wysed: “I’m not too sure about the batting line-up yet, that will be announced tomorrow [on Tuesday].

“Obviously it wasn’t that easy, wasn’t that successful for the opening pair, but it’s a different format. They’ve got a little bit more time now, so I’m sure they’ll come good.”

Breetzke is aware of the threat Pakistan yster better Babar Azam poses to the Proteas.

He added: “We’ve come up with plans to hopefully stop him from scoring runs, but he’s unbelievable.”