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Shaheen Afridi at the helm as Pakistan gear up to host South Africa in first ODI
Pakistan and South Africa are preparing to face off in the first ODI of the three-match series on Tuesday in Faisalabad. After an exciting T20I leg where Pakistan emerged victorious with 2-1, both teams will eye a great start to the ODI series.
Pakistan will enter the ODI series with huge confidence, having bounced back strongly in the shortest format. They lost the first T20I in Rawalpindi but came back strongly in the second and third games in Lahore to seal the series 2-1.
Babar Azam, the star batter, has found his rhythm just in time. His incredible 68-run knock in the final T20I was a welcome return to form. And his presence in the ODI squad will further boost Pakistan's prospects as they look forward to challenging the Proteas.
Most importantly, the series will mark a new era of leadership for Pakistan in ODIs. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been handed the captaincy, replacing Mohammad Rizwan, who remains an integral part of the squad. Leading in his first assignment as skipper, Shaheen Afridi will be keen to make a statement and repay the faith.
South Africa, on the other hand, will aim to bounce back after their T20I series defeat. They will be led by Matthew Breetzke amid the presence of reliable players such as Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi and Lungi Ngidi.
Head-to-head
Matches - 87
SA won - 52
PAK won - 34
No Result - 1
Pakistan possible XI: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa possible XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke (c), Donovan Ferreira, Sinethemba Qeshile, George Linde, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger
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