Pakistan won the toss and opted to play first in the first one-day international of the three-match series against South Africa at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Tuesday.
The match marks the return of international cricket to the iconic venue after 17 years – the city last hosted an international match in 2008, when Pakistan took on Bangladesh.
Following the 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore, Pakistan endured a six-year exile from local international cricket, playing its matches at neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates.
While other cities gradually returned to the international fold from 2015 onwards, Faisalabad remained off the map due to inadequate facilities, which have since been upgraded.
Shaheen, who replaced Mohammad Rizwan as captain after a series of poor results, expressed delight at Faisalabad’s return as the host on Monday.
“It is a special occasion that Faisalabad is hosting an international match after 17 years; it will be good for the fans of the city,” he told reporters, adding that leading Pakistan was “an honour.” “…the responsibility is great, but I will try to do my best,” said the 25-year-old.
Shaheen’s comments came as he extended his full support to former captain Babar Azam, who rediscovered form during Pakistan’s 2-1 T20I series win over the Proteas last week.
“Every cricketer struggles, but Babar must have realized in his last innings that he has returned to form,” Shaheen said. “He has been performing for Pakistan for the last four-five years and is our leading T20 run-scorer. He has the ability to play big innings and inspire others to do the same.”
Babar’s composed knock in the decisive T20I on Saturday complemented Shaheen’s fiery bowling as Pakistan sealed a four-wicket victory in Lahore.
Shaheen, who previously captained the T20 team briefly last year before a 4-1 defeat in New Zealand ended his first stint, said his aim was to “lead from the front” in his new role.
“It’s always been like this: When veteran players perform, the team wins,” he said. “I try to take a step forward whether I’m captain or not.”
The left back leads a complete team that includes Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman, Babar and Rizwan. Meanwhile, South Africa will be without several first-choice players, including regular captain Temba Bavuma and fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who have been rested.
Promising youngster Dewald Brevis was also ruled out hours before the match after suffering a minor shoulder muscle strain in the third Twenty20 International on Saturday.
In Bavuma’s absence, young opener Matthew Breetzke will lead the visitors.
“We are missing our core ODI group, but this gives the younger players a chance to step up and take on the challenge,” he said.
Quinton de Kock, who reversed his ODI retirement in 2023, will also return. The remaining ODIs will be played on Thursday and Saturday, all at the same venue.
Squads:
Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (goalkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
South Africa:
Matthew Breetzke (captain), Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile.
