Karachi: The first ODI of the series between South Africa and Pakistan will be played in Paarl today, the Green Shirts face challenge to return to winning ways, the first-choice players will be part of the host XI.
However, the captain has rested Bavuma in the Proteas camp and given Markram the leadership in the first match.
The burden of Pakistani expectations will be on the experienced shoulders of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.
According to the details, after the defeat in the T20 series, Pakistan’s eyes are focused on the next Test ODI series, the first match will be played in Paarl on Tuesday, the Green Shirts were defeated 2-0 in the T20 series, the third match was washed away by rain.
Pakistani batsmen also faced severe difficulties in the face of an inexperienced bowling attack. In the first match, Rizwan scored a fifty at a very slow pace, while in the second match, only Saim Ayub managed to score a lightning-fast 98 runs not out.
Now, all the important cricketers in the South African squad have returned for the ODI series, so the visiting team will have to scale a strong wall to win. The board has rested the host team’s Temba Bavuma in the first match to reduce his workload. Aiden Markram will lead in his place. He will also want to maintain his excellent form with the bat.
Spin star Keshav Maharaj and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada are part of the squad. South Africa will try to finalize their one-day combination before the Champions Trophy scheduled for next year.
On the other hand, the Pakistani team, which struggled in the middle overs after a good performance in the second T20, is hopeful of putting up a better show in the ODI series, having recently defeated Australia in this manner, which is why the morale is quite high.
The Green Shirts will also try combinations for the Champions Trophy scheduled on home grounds. Saim Ayub looks quite confident due to his lightning-fast innings in the second T20, he will want to maintain his form in the ODIs as well.
The burden of expectations will be on the experienced pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafiq and Salman Agha will also try to make their presence felt.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed is confident of maintaining the T20 bowling rhythm in the ODI format as well, the pace attack may consist of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
