ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan will play South Africa in what seems to be a semi-final game of the ODI tri-series today as the winner will advance to the final.
Pakistan has made two key changes to its playing XI for the match against South Africa.
Scheduled to take place at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, the match will see the return of pacer Mohammad Hasnain, who replaces Haris Rauf.
Rauf is recovering from a muscular sprain in his lower chest. He has been rested as a precautionary measure for the upcoming matches.
Rauf’s injury is not severe, and he is likely to fully recover in time for the Champions Trophy scheduled for taking place from February 19 to March 9.
Left-arm fast bowler Akif Javed has been called up as a replacement for Rauf in the ongoing tri-nation series.
Left-handed batter Saud Shakeel will replace Kamran Ghulam. Ghulam has struggled with the bat in recent matches.
New Zealand has sailed through to the final of the tri-nation series after dominant wins over Pakistan and South Africa. Pakistan now faces South Africa in a virtual semi-final today.
In their previous encounter, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 78-runs despite Fakhar Zaman’s half-century, falling short of a 331-run target. Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner took three wickets each.
In the other match, New Zealand comfortably overcome South Africa by six wickets, chasing down a 305-run target with ease. A solid second-wicket partnership between Kane Williamson and Devon Conway was key to the victory.
ODI playing XI
Muhammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed.
