South Africa has decided to bat first against Pakistan in a crucial match, while the Green Shirts are playing their second match. The host team is ready to face South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The third match of the series between both teams will be a day-night encounter. Both teams have conducted intense practice sessions. This match has become crucial, akin to a semi-final, as the losing team will not qualify for the final.
According to national media, both finalist teams will have a practice session at 6:30 PM, while the final is scheduled for February 14 and will be played in Lahore.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf will not participate in the remaining matches of the tri-nation series due to injury. Akif Javed has been included in the Pakistan cricket team squad for the series.
For the crucial match against South Africa in the tri-nation series, Pakistan has made two changes to its final eleven. Saud Shakeel has replaced Kamran Ghulam, while Mohammad Hasnain has been included in place of Haris Rauf.
The national team will consist of Captain Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed.
It is noteworthy that the match between Pakistan and South Africa in the tri-nation series has turned into a virtual semi-final. The winning team will face New Zealand in the final.
New Zealand had already qualified for the final by defeating both Pakistan and South Africa in the group matches.
