Pakistan elect to field in first ODI against South Africa in Faisalabad

Pakistan won the toss and elected field in the first one-day international against South Africa being played in Iqbal Stadium of Faisalabad on Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi announced his decision, saying they will try to restrict the visitors from scoring freely.

International cricket has made a long-awaited return to Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium as Pakistan take on South Africa in the first One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series.

The match begins at 3 pm local time, marking the city’s first international fixture since 2008 when Pakistan faced Bangladesh in an ODI.

Pakistan’s squad for today’s encounter includes Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain).

South Africa’s squad features Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Quinton de Kock (wk), Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Nqaba Peter, and Ottniel Baartman.

According to cricket analysts, Pakistan enter the contest as firm favourites with a 65 percent win probability compared to South Africa’s 35 percent.

The home side will also enjoy the advantage of familiar conditions, while the visitors will be looking to test their young squad against an experienced Pakistani lineup.

The remaining two ODIs are also scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, both in Faisalabad.

Cricket pundits suggest that the team batting first could face some early challenges due to the expected turn on the pitch.

However, as the evening sets in, dew may play a role in easing conditions for the batsmen.

Captains Shaheen Shah Afridi and Matthew Breetzke will have to weigh the pros and cons of batting or bowling first carefully.

“Bat first and cool yourself in the dressing room, or brave the heat and bowl first?” analysts quipped, highlighting the tactical dilemma awaiting both teams.

As always, unpredictability surrounds Pakistan, a team capable of brilliance and chaos in equal measure. South Africa, though missing several senior players, brings youthful energy and talent that could make for a competitive and exciting series.

For Faisalabad, today marks more than just another cricket match. The city, known for its passionate cricket fans, last hosted an international fixture 17 years ago.

Following Pakistan’s six-year isolation from international cricket after the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, matches were played in neutral venues in the UAE.

Though international cricket gradually returned to Pakistan after 2015, Faisalabad remained off the roster due to inadequate facilities, an issue recently addressed with major upgrades at Iqbal Stadium.

The current series marks the final leg of South Africa’s tour, which has already seen the visitors draw the Test series 1–1 and lose the T20I series 2–1.

With Shaheen, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah leading the bowling attack, and star batsmen Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan strengthening the batting order, Pakistan will field a full-strength side.

South Africa, meanwhile, is without their regular skipper Temba Bavuma and seven senior players, including fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who have been rested.

Cricket fans in Faisalabad are expected to turn out in large numbers, celebrating not just the start of an ODI series but the long-awaited homecoming of international cricket.