FAISALABAD: Pakistan have won the toss and chosen to bat first in the second One Day International (ODI) against South Africa. The match is being played at Iqbal Stadium on Thursday. The home side leads the three-match ODI series 1-0 after a thrilling two-wicket win in the opening game. Both teams are looking to gain momentum in this crucial encounter.
The first ODI saw Pakistan edge past South Africa in a nail-biting finish. The victory gave the Green Shirts an early advantage in the series. Now, the hosts aim to seal the series with another strong performance. Meanwhile, the Proteas are determined to bounce back and level the contest. The conditions in Faisalabad are ideal for batting, and fans are expecting an exciting clash.
Before this ODI series, both teams competed in a three-match T20I series. Pakistan won that series 2-1 after a strong comeback. They lost the opening T20I but responded by winning the next two matches convincingly. The T20I success boosted team morale, and the players are eager to continue their winning streak. South Africa, on the other hand, are focused on regaining their rhythm.
Earlier, the two sides also met in a two-match Test series, which ended 1-1. Pakistan won the first Test comfortably, but South Africa produced a strong comeback in the second. The result reflected a balanced contest between the teams. Both sides have shown resilience across formats, keeping the rivalry intense and competitive.
So far, Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other 88 times in ODIs. The Proteas have won 52 matches, while Pakistan have claimed 35 victories. One match ended without a result. In today’s game, Pakistan’s lineup includes Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan. South Africa are led by Matthew Breetzke and feature stars like Quinton de Kock and Lungi Ngidi. The stage is set for another thrilling encounter between the two cricketing sides.
