Pakistan, South Africa to clash in series decider today

Pakistan and South Africa have their eyes set on the series victory as both teams will clash in the third and final one-day international (ODI) at SuperSport Park in Centurion today.

The three-match series is currently leveled at 1-1 after the hosts defeated the visiting team by 17 runs on Sunday.

Major changes are expected in both teams as South Africa will be playing without its five key players - Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi - who left to participate in the Indian Premier League scheduled to begin on April 9.

Nortje’s absence will leave Pakistani batsmen with a sigh of relief as the right-arm quick with seven wickets is the highest wicket-taker in the series so far.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s vice-captain Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the ODI and T20I series due to a toe injury and will likely be replaced by Usman Qadir.

A report by ESPNcricnfo also suggested two more changes at no.6 position and pace attack with Haider Ali to play in place of Asif Ali and Hassan Ali to replace Mohammad Hasnain.

The victory will mark Pakistan’s first series win against a top seven ODI team since 2013 when they beat the same opponents 2-1.

Expected playing XIs:

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Danish Aziz, Haider Ali, Usman Qadir, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Andile Phehlukwayo, Beuran Hendricks, Daryn Dupavillon, Lutho Sipamla, Tabraiz Shamsi   

Read: South Africa fined 20 percent of match fee for slow over-rate

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