PAARL, South Africa: Pakistan’s skipper, Mohammad Rizwan, has the potential to surprise both fans and rivals as the visitors take on South Africa at Boland Park in Paarl, on Tuesday.
This marks Rizwan’s third ODI series as Pakistan’s skipper, and he has begun his tenure with back-to-back series victories over Australia and Zimbabwe.
Everyone was lauding Rizwan when Pakistan won against Australia on their home soil in the ODI series. However, despite this impressive start, Pakistan have struggled to maintain their momentum.
📸 Trophy unveiled!
Captains pose with the trophy for #SAvPAK ODI series 🏆
Read more: https://t.co/50jS4tAQuP#BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/3iJxnUSy4k
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 16, 2024
Now, everyone is keenly watching Rizwan and his team and are expecting that Pakistan will deliver another strong performance and produce a much-needed comeback against South Africa.
Rizwan has told the media that this is a vital ODI series in terms of their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy, and with Allah’s help they will look to emulate their performances from the ODI series against Australia.
He admitted that they could not get the ideal results in the T20I series but, he is really happy with some of the performances put in by their players in these conditions especially Saim’s batting was brilliant in both matches.
Trophy unveiled for the Pakistan vs South Africa ODI series 🏆
Read more: https://t.co/50jS4tAQuP#SAvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/SHySbibf3P
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 16, 2024
“Our batting, pace, and spin stocks are decent enough to challenge South Africa and win the series with the help of almighty,” he said.
“I see a lot of potential in our ODI squad with players young and experienced both willing to put the best step forward, which makes us an exciting prospect as a one-day side not just going into this series but also in the home tri-nation series and the blockbuster white-ball mega event at home,” he said.
Naseem Shah Returns
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan and South Africa are ready to lock horns in a key three-match ODI series beginning from Tuesday at the Boland Park in Paarl.
The second and third fixture of the series will be played at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town and The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on 17 and 19 December, respectively, the PCB said.
Earlier, South Africa had won the T20I series 2-0 after the third T20I was washed out on 14 December. The ODI series holds a lot of importance for both sides as they look to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in February and March 2025 in Pakistan.
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Pakistan’s squad has been bolstered with the return of pacer Naseem Shah, opening batter Abdullah Shafique, and top-order batter Kamran Ghulam while wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan have received their maiden ODI call-ups.
In their last bilateral face-off in the 50-over format, Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1 in South Africa in April 2021.
Pakistan ODI Squad
Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wk), Abrar Ahmed, Abdullah Shafique, Haris Rauf, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hasnain, Kamran Ghulam, Naseem Shah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)
South Africa ODI Squad
Temba Bavuma (captain), Andile Phehlukwayo, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Kwena Maphaka, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Rassie van der Dussen, Ottneil Baartman, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, and Tristan Stubbs
Schedule of Matches
17 Dec – 1st ODI vs South Africa at Boland Bank Park, Paarl
19 Dec – 2nd ODI vs South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
22 Dec – 3rd ODI vs South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
26 Dec – 1st Test vs South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion
3 Jan – 2nd Test vs South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
