KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made two changes to its Playing XI for Wednesday’s crucial tri-nation series match against South Africa.
Pace bowler Mohammad Hasnain has been included in the playing XI in place of injured Haris Rauf, while Saud Shakeel has replaced middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam.
Haris, who faced fitness concerns during the tri-series opener against New Zealand, has been advised to rest after sustaining a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall during Saturday’s match.
“Following MRI and X-ray scans, it has been confirmed that Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region during Saturday’s match against New Zealand,” PCB shared in a statement.
It’s worth noting that Pakistan will be looking to bounce back against South Africa after suffering a defeat in the series opener.
For the unversed, New Zealand achieved a convincing victory against the Pakistan team by 78 runs in the opening match of the tri-nation ODI series at Gaddafi Stadium.
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Batting first, Phillips scored a fiery unbeaten ton after Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell’s fifties to power New Zealand to 330 over the loss of six wickets.
Chasing 331, Pakistan got off to a promising start with the new opening pair of Fakhar and Babar Azam putting together a brisk 52-run stand.
Fakhar Zaman was the only silver lining for Pakistan as they crumbled in chase, and were bowled out for 252 in 47.5 overs at Gaddafi Stadium.
Pakistan squad for tri-nation series and Champions Trophy 2025:
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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