South Africa Bat First in First ODI Against Pakistan; Maharaj Sidelined Due to Niggle

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first in the opening ODI against Pakistan at Paarl. The series is significant as it serves as the final bilateral assignment for both teams ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was ruled out due to a niggle, leading South Africa to include pace-bowling all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo. Skipper Aiden Markram will lead the side, with Tabraiz Shamsi selected as the only specialist spinner. Key bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen returned to the playing XI after sitting out the T20I series against Sri Lanka to focus on Test preparations.

Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, welcomed back key players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah, who missed the previous series against Zimbabwe. The team opted for leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed in place of an extra seamer, while Vice-Captain Salman Ali Agha further bolstered the spin department.

The series opener provides a platform for both sides to fine-tune their combinations and test their form in challenging conditions as they prepare for the global tournament.

Playing XIs

South Africa:
Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Pakistan:
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

Key Highlights:

• South Africa without Maharaj due to fitness concerns.
• Rabada and Jansen return to bolster the pace attack.
• Pakistan strengthens spin options with Abrar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha.
• Series critical for Champions Trophy preparation.