Pakistan is determined to level the series as they face South Africa in the second Test match at Newlands, Cape Town, starting today. The team has yet to announce their playing XI, which has caused some uncertainty ahead of the match.
Captain Shan Masood explained that they were waiting for a final assessment of the pitch, which appears to have less grass cover than expected. He emphasized the importance of selecting the best possible team for the match.
After losing the first Test match in Centurion earlier this week, Pakistan is trailing 1-0 in the series. Shan Masood expressed the need for his team to be “ruthless” to secure a victory against South Africa and make a habit of winning against top teams.
For the second Test, Pakistan’s probable playing XI is:
- Shan Masood (captain)
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel
- Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
- Salman Ali Agha
- Aamer Jamal / Noman Ali
- Naseem Shah
- Mohammad Abbas
- Khurram Shahzad
South Africa, on the other hand, has made three changes to their lineup. Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, and the uncapped Kwena Maphaka have replaced Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, and Dane Paterson, who were crucial in South Africa’s narrow victory in the first Test.
South Africa’s playing XI:
- Aiden Markram
- Ryan Rickelton
- Wiaan Mulder
- Tristan Stubbs
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- David Bedingham
- Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper)
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Kwena Maphaka
