After Salman Ali Agha’s four-wicket haul in the first ODI of the three-match series at Boland Park, Paarl on Wednesday, South Africa were chased down by Henrik Klaasen’s 86 to set Pakistan a target of 240 runs.
Earlier, Pakistan announced their playing XI for the opening match, which included a mix of experienced players and newcomers as the team looks to make a strong start to the series.
Right-arm fast bowler Naseem Shah has returned to the team along with Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi.
Saeem Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq will open the batting for the men in green.
This series is Mohammad Rizwan’s third stint as Pakistan’s ODI captain.
His leadership journey began with the three-match ODI series against Australia in November, where he successfully led the team to a 2-1 series victory, Pakistan’s first series win on Australian soil in 22 years. .
Rizwan’s second assignment was against Zimbabwe, where the men in green won the three-match ODI series 2–1.
However, the tour of South Africa did not start well for Pakistan, with the team losing the three-match T20I series 2-0.
On the other hand, South Africa captain Temba Baoma will miss the opening ODI against Pakistan in Paarl on Tuesday as a strategic move to manage his workload ahead of the crucial two-Test series.
Aidan Markram has been named as the stand-in captain for the first match, with Bavuma expected to return for the remainder of the series.
The decision marks South Africa’s efforts to balance the players’ workload and preparation as they prepare for upcoming major tournaments, including the Champions Trophy 2025 and crucial Test series.
The Red Ball series holds a lot of importance as South Africa aim to secure a place in the final of the World Test Championship.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Saeem Ayub, Abdullah Shafiq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa: Tony De Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Rasi van der Dusen, Aidan Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, Henrik Klaasen (WK), Marco Johnson, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Otniel Baartman, Tabriz Shamsi