Pakistan Win the toss, decide to bat in 3rd showdown against SA

Luck shined upon Pakistan Captain Sarfraz Ahmed on Friday when he won the toss and decided that his team would bat first in the third one day international (ODI) against South Africa being played in Centurion.

Pakistan is sporting two changes in the squad with Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir’s return. For SA Dale Steyn and Quinton de Kock are returning to the squad while Beuran Hendricks makes his debut.

The match comes at the back of a controversy where Sarfraz Ahmed was heard on camera making racist remarks directed at South African batsman Andile Phehlukwayo who, along with Hendrick van der Dussen, had guided Proteas to a series-levelling win.

Since then, Sarfraz has publicly apologised for his remarks. The skipper tweeted: “I wish to extend my sincere apologies to any person who may have taken offence from my expression of frustration which was unfortunately caught by the stump mic during yesterday’s game against SA.

“My words were not directed towards anyone in particular and I certainly had no intention of upsetting anyone.

Soon after that, South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said that his team has forgiven Sarfraz Ahmed for remarks.

Earlier today, Sarfraz tweeted a picture of himself shaking Phehlukwayo’s hand. The tweet said:

“This morning I apologised to Andile Phehlukwayo and he was gracious enough to accept my apology .and I hope the people of South Africa also accept my apology.”

Pakistan had started the series with a bang when they beat South Africa in the first ODI at St George’s Park, but the hosts bounced right back in the next game, which was played in Durban. Today’s game is the third in the series of five matches.

Teams

South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Hashim Amla, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Faf du Plessis (captain), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Beuran Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi and Dale Steyn

Pakistan: Imam ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain and wicket-keeper), Mohammad Amir, Hassan Ali and Shaheen Afridi