PAARL, South Africa: South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against Pakistan at Boland Park, Paarl, on Wednesday.
The home side will be led by Aiden Markram in the absence of regular captain Temba Bavuma, who has been rested to manage his workload ahead of the two crucial Test matches against Pakistan later this month. Bavuma is expected to return for the remaining ODIs in the series.
Pakistan, under the leadership of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, aims to start the series with a strong performance. The second and third ODIs are scheduled to be played in Cape Town and Johannesburg on December 19 and 22, respectively.
Pakistan’s Squad
The playing XI announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sees Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique opening the innings, with star batter Babar Azam set to bat at No. 3 after being rested during the recent series against Zimbabwe.
Captain Rizwan will take charge at No. 4, followed by middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam and all-rounders Salman Ali Agha and Irfan Khan Niazi.
The bowling attack features Pakistan’s pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, while Abrar Ahmed has been included as the primary spinner.
South Africa’s Squad
South Africa’s squad, missing the services of Bavuma for the opener, will rely on the experience of Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, and Kagiso Rabada. The team is also bolstered by all-rounder Marco Jansen and spinner Keshav Maharaj.
Bavuma’s absence is part of the team’s preparation for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, which begins on December 26 in Centurion and concludes in Cape Town on January 3.
Pakistan Playing XI
Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).
South Africa Playing XI
Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.
