After winning the toss against South Africa, Pakistan opts to bat first

SYDNEY: In their crucial T20 World Cup 2022 match against South Africa on Thursday, Pakistan opted to bat first.

Injured Fakhar Zaman has been replaced by Mohammad Haris in the Pakistan lineup, while David Miller has been ruled out of this match with back spasms. In place of the left-hander, Heinrich Klaasen takes over.

Pakistan are placed fifth in Group 2 with just two points from three games.

Pakistan’s first and foremost task is to win against South Africa and then beat Bangladesh on Sunday if it hopes to remain alive. Next, hope that Zimbabwe or the Netherlands won their respective matches against South Africa or India.

Playing XI

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shan Masood, Mohammad Haris, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.

South Africa: 1 Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi.