South Africa Elects to Bat First in First T20I Against Pakistan

In the first T20I at Kingsmead, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first against Pakistan. The match begins at 9:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time. Captain Mohammad Rizwan is optimistic about his team’s performance, although all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has been dropped from the playing XI.

On the evening of the first T20 International match at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban, South Africa elected to bat after winning the toss against Pakistan. The match is scheduled to commence at 9:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time. Pakistan, under the leadership of Captain Mohammad Rizwan, has been preparing intensively for this T20 series, having conducted training sessions at the venue ahead of the game.

Captain Rizwan expressed optimism regarding his team’s performance, reflecting on their prior successes in Australia and Zimbabwe. He highlighted the potential of the new players, noting the inherent challenges of overseas series. Interestingly, all-rounder Salman Ali Agha was excluded from the playing XI, having scored only 45 runs and taken two wickets in the recent T20 series against Zimbabwe.

The line-up marks the return of Pakistan’s formidable opening duo, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, while Saim Ayub is set to bat at number three. Wicketkeeper batter Usman Khan will follow, enhancing the batting lineup’s depth. The final selected XI for Pakistan includes Rizwan (captain), Azam, Ayub, Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Abrar Ahmed.

This T20 cricket match marks the beginning of a highly anticipated series between South Africa and Pakistan. The match not only showcases teams’ competitive spirit but also serves as a platform for new talents. With Pakistan’s recent encounters against teams like Australia and Zimbabwe, the stakes are high for both teams in terms of performance and strategy. The match has garnered attention as veteran players return to the lineup while new faces prepare to make their mark.

In conclusion, South Africa has chosen to bat first in the inaugural T20I against Pakistan at Kingsmead Stadium. The anticipation surrounding the match reflects both teams’ preparations and ambitions. With Pakistan aiming to build on their previous successes, the exclusion of all-rounder Salman Ali Agha underscores the competitive nature of their selection. As the players take the field, fans can expect an exciting and challenging match.

Original Source: dunyanews.tv