Pakistan are facing South Africa in a crucial ODI match at the National Stadium in Karachi, but are without the services of their key fast bowler Haris Rauf.
The reason behind Rauf’s absence from the playing XI, left Pakistan fans and experts speculating.
With a place in the final against New Zealand at stake, Pakistan compensated for Rauf by including Mohammad Hasnain. Losing to New Zealand in their previous match has put an extra pressure on the team to perform well against South Africa, especially as the host nation is preparing for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Reason behind Haris Rauf’s absence
Rauf sustained an injury against New Zealand during the opening match of the Tri-Series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. He has, therefore, been rested for the remainder of the series as a precautionary measure ahead of the upcoming ICC tournament.
As per the reports, Akif Javed may feature in the playing XI during the final if Pakistan manages to beat South Africa.
“We have an opportunity to make a good squad for the CT. We are experimenting. We’ll go day by day. We’ll look to take some momentum into the Champions Trophy,” Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan said at the toss.
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Meanwhile, the Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma seemed happy with the return of senior players in the line-up.
“We’ll have a bat first. Just looking at the stats, that’s what it leans towards. Wicket also looks decent. A good chance with the bat and put some good runs on the board,” Bavuma said after winning the toss.
“Tony de Zorzi comes in, Heinrich Klaasen comes in, Corbin Bosch comes in as well as Keshav Maharaj. He [Klaasen] comes in with some confidence, he’ll bolster our middle-order,” he added.
PAK vs SA: Playing XI of both teams
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi.
