**; Maharaj Misses Out Due to Niggle** South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first against Pakistan in the opening ODI in Paarl, which is both teams' final bilateral series before next year’s Champions Trophy. **Changes in South Africa's Line-Up** Left-arm spinner **Keshav Maharaj** was ruled out due to a niggle, bringing pace-bowling allrounder **Andile Phehlukwayo** into the side. Skipper **Aiden Markram** led the hosts in the series opener, with **Tabraiz Shamsi** as the only specialist spinner. Key players like **Kagiso Rabada** and **Marco Jansen**, who missed the T20I series due to their involvement in Sri Lanka Tests, returned to strengthen the squad. **Pakistan’s Strategy and Key Inclusions** For Pakistan, key players **Babar Azam**, **Shaheen Afridi**, and **Naseem Shah** returned after missing the series against Zimbabwe last month. Pakistan opted for four specialist bowlers, including legspinner **Abrar Ahmed** instead of an extra seamer. Vice-captain **Salman Ali Agha** was also included, giving Pakistan the option of an additional spinner. ### **Starting XIs** **South Africa:** 1. Tony de Zorzi, 2. Ryan Rickelton, 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram (capt), 5. Tristan Stubbs, 6. Heinrich Klaasen, 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Andile Phehlukwayo, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Ottneil Baartman, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi **Pakistan:** 1. Saim Ayub, 2. Abdullah Shafique, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), 5. Kamran Ghulam, 6. Salman Agha, 7. Irfan Khan, 8. Shaheen Afridi, 9. Naseem Shah, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Abrar Ahmed

South Africa Bat First in First ODI vs Pakistan; Maharaj Misses Out Due to Niggle

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South Africa Bat First in First ODI vs Pakistan; Maharaj Misses Out Due to Niggle
South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first against Pakistan in the opening ODI in Paarl, which is both teams’ final bilateral series before next year’s Champions Trophy.

Table of Contents

Changes in South Africa’s Line-Up
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was ruled out due to a niggle, bringing pace-bowling allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo into the side. Skipper Aiden Markram led the hosts in the series opener, with Tabraiz Shamsi as the only specialist spinner. Key players like Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who missed the T20I series due to their involvement in Sri Lanka Tests, returned to strengthen the squad.

Pakistan’s Strategy and Key Inclusions
For Pakistan, key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah returned after missing the series against Zimbabwe last month. Pakistan opted for four specialist bowlers, including legspinner Abrar Ahmed instead of an extra seamer. Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha was also included, giving Pakistan the option of an additional spinner.

Starting XIs

South Africa: 1. Tony de Zorzi, 2. Ryan Rickelton, 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram (capt), 5. Tristan Stubbs, 6. Heinrich Klaasen, 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Andile Phehlukwayo, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Ottneil Baartman, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
Pakistan: 1. Saim Ayub, 2. Abdullah Shafique, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), 5. Kamran Ghulam, 6. Salman Agha, 7. Irfan Khan, 8. Shaheen Afridi, 9. Naseem Shah, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Abrar Ahmed

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