Pakistan decide to beat South Africa first in the ODI opener

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first one-day international (ODI) of a three-match series against South Africa at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Tuesday.

Pakistan skipper Shaheen Afridi said the decision was influenced by the freshness of the wicket and the long time since Faisalabad last hosted an ODI.

South Africa captain Matthew Breetzke said the surface looked dry, predicting that the dew would affect play later in the evening.

Playing XI:

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (ed), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (ed), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke (c), Sinethemba Qeshile, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi and Lizaad Williams.

The three-match ODI series is part of the Proteas’ tour of Pakistan, with an all-format series. The two-match Test series was shared by both teams 1-1, while Pakistan won the three-match T20I series 2-1.

With the first ODI, international cricket returned to Faisalabad after 17 years. The remaining matches will be held on November 6 and 8 at the same venue.

The last international match at Iqbal Stadium was on 11 April 2008 when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in an ODI by seven wickets. The historic venue has hosted 16 ODIs to date, including four World Cup matches – one in 1987 and three in 1996.

Pakistan have played 12 ODIs on this ground, winning nine and losing three. South Africa, on the other hand, have played five ODIs here, winning two and losing three. In all ODIs between the two sides, Pakistan and South Africa have met 87 times, with Pakistan winning 34 and South Africa emerging victorious in 52 encounters. In Pakistan, both teams have won eight matches in 16.

In Faisalabad, Pakistan and South Africa have contested three ODIs. Pakistan have won twice (in 1994 and 2007), while South Africa secured victory in one (2003).