KARACHI, Pakistan — In a crucial matchup of the tri-nation series, South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first against Pakistan on Wednesday at the upgraded National Bank Stadium. This game is essential for both teams as they aim to secure their places in the upcoming final scheduled for Friday. New Zealand has already guaranteed its spot in the final after victories over both teams in their previous matches held in Lahore.

Karachi, along with Lahore and Rawalpindi, is undergoing renovations by the Pakistan Cricket Board in preparation for the Champions Trophy set to commence next week. South Africa has strengthened its squad with the return of key players including opening batsman Toni de Zorzi, wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, and pacer Corbin Bosch. All of these players missed the recent six-wicket defeat to New Zealand.

Notably, Matthew Breetzke, who has not been selected for South Africa’s Champions Trophy team, continues to feature in the lineup after making history as the first player ever to score 150 runs in his debut One Day International (ODI) match. Additionally, several members of South Africa’s Champions Trophy squad, including Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada, are expected to arrive over the weekend, just a day after the conclusion of the tri-nation series final.

On the other hand, Pakistan made two changes to their team after suffering a significant 78-run loss to New Zealand last Saturday. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, who sustained a side injury during his seventh over against the Kiwis, was replaced by Mohammad Hasnain. In another change, top-order batsman Saud Shakeel returns to the team for his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup in India, taking Kamran Ghulam’s spot as Pakistan seeks the right batting order ahead of their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand.

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Lineups:
South Africa: Toni de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi.
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed.
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