Pakistan’s team management has confirmed the playing XI for the highly anticipated first ODI against South Africa, set to take place in Paarl. The announcement sees Mohammad Rizwan leading the team as captain and wicketkeeper, while a blend of young talent and seasoned stars makes up the squad.
The selected XI features emerging stars like Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique alongside stalwarts such as Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi. The inclusion of spinner Abrar Ahmed and promising batter Muhammad Irfan Khan highlights Pakistan’s emphasis on nurturing new talent for the future.
| Saim Ayub |
| Abdullah Shafique |
| Babar Azam |
| Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk) |
| Kamran Ghulam |
| Salman Ali Agha (vc) |
| Muhammad Irfan Khan |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi |
| Naseem Shah |
| Haris Rauf |
| Abrar Ahmed |
Pakistan will look to start the series on a strong note against a challenging South African lineup. With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, this series provides an opportunity for team management to assess their combinations and give valuable exposure to emerging players.
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