Pakistan announces Playing XI for first ODI against South Africa

Pakistan has finalised its playing XI for the first One-Day International (ODI) against South Africa, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

The team will feature young talent alongside experienced players, showcasing a balanced squad.

The lineup includes Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.

The match is expected to be a thrilling contest as Pakistan looks to dominate with a mix of seasoned performers and emerging stars.

Pakistan and South Africa are ready to lock horns in a key three-match ODI series beginning at the Boland Park in Paarl at 5pm PKT today. 

The second and third fixtures of the series will be played at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, and The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on 17 and 19, respectively.

South Africa had won the T20I series 2-0 after the third T20I was washed out on 14 December. 

The ODI series holds a lot of significance for both teams as they look to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in February and March 2025 in Pakistan.