PAARL: South Africa have won the toss and opted to bat first in the first ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan at Boland Park here on Tuesday.
PLAYING XIs
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has been rested and Aiden Markram is leading the team in his absence. Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj, who was initially named in the Playing XI had a late niggle and was replaced by Andile Phehlukwayo.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s star players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who missed the tour of Zimbabwe, have been returned to the side.
Meanwhile, Abrar Ahmed, who made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe last month, has been selected as the sole spinner in the Playing XI
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Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Tabraiz Shamsi
HEAD TO HEAD
Pakistan and South Africa have played a total of 83 matches, with South Africa leading the head-to-head with 52 victories. Pakistan has won 30 matches, while one match ended without a result.
Matches 83, Pakistan 30, South Africa 52, NR 1
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It’s worth noting that after the series opener today, Pakistan and South Africa will play subsequent ODIs in Cape Town and Johannesburg on December 19 and 22 respectively.
Meanwhile, the two-match Test series will kick off in Centurion on December 26, followed by the second Test in Cape Town, starting from January 3.
READ: Babar Azam eyes major milestones during South Africa ODIs