Karachi
Former captain Sarfraz Ahmed is likely to play One Day International (ODI) matches against South Africa, citing sources, reported on Wednesday.
The series starts with a one-day international in Centurion on Friday. The former captain is expected to take charge as a wicket-keeper and Mohammad Rizwan as a batsman.
However, the management is mulling over including Muhammad Rizwan on number 4 and Sarfraz on number 5.
To make the final decision regarding Sarfaraz’s inclusion in the team, head coach Misbah ul Haq, national team captain Babar Azam and other officials are discussing the prospects.
Haider Ali or Asif Ali will be dropped from the squad in case Sarfraz is playing, the sources added.
Pakistan’s schedule in South Africa According to details, the 34-member squad included 21 players and 13 team officials.
On the South Africa tour, Pakistan will play three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches from 2-7 April and four T20Is from 10-16 April in Centurion and Johannesburg.
Green Shirts will then depart for Harare for three T20Is and two Tests, before returning home on 12 May.
This series between South Africa and Pakistan promises to be hugely competitive with little separating the two teams on paper in the format of the game.
Both teams have virtually full strength squads at their disposal for this opening ODI and while there remains a clear home advantage, there has been no quarantine for the tourists and Pakistan will likely enjoy the type of pitches they will encounter in SA.
The hosts played six ODIs against England and Australia on home soil in 2020 and they won four of those, with one defeat and one no result so that will give them plenty of confidence.
With the knowledge that some of their key players are set to depart for IPL duty, they will be keen to hit the ground running and that should just give them the edge here.
A close game could be on the cards but South Africa are favoured to win this opener.—AFP
