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Babar Azam, forgotten keeper return as Pakistan captain elects to bowl in 1st T20I vs SA

Anurag Dasgupta

Pakistan set to bowl [Source: @Sheri/x.com] Pakistan set to bowl [Source: @Sheri/x.com]

The wait is over as Pakistan is set to take on South Africa in an epic T20I series, with the first match taking place today in Rawalpindi. The Test series ended 1:1, with Pakistan winning the first game and the visitors levelling the series in the second. The road to the T20 World Cup 2026 begins for both sides as the two teams aim for a winning start.

Pakistan made quite a few surprising changes in the squad, with Babar Azam back in the main team, and apart from him, Naseem Shah has also made his comeback after a brilliant CPL 2025 season. The South Africans, on the other hand, are coming into this game on the back of a series loss vs the Australians, and they, too, will aim to bounce back against a struggling Pakistan team.

Ahead of the match, we take a look at what transpired at the toss and the playing XIs of both the teams.

Who won the toss today in PAK Vs SA 1st T20I?

Pakistan won the toss and Salman Ali Agha had no hesitation in electing to bowl first as the Men in Green opts to chase in the series opener. Babar Azam is back in the playing XI after his Asia Cup snub, and forgotten keeper, Usman Khan is also included in the playing XI.

PAK Vs SA playing XIs

Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

Who has the edge after toss?

Expect the Rawalpindi wicket to stay batting-friendly, and the surface won’t change for the entirety of the 40-overs. Dew could be an important factor as the game progresses and that would mean that South African bowlers will find it hard to grip the ball. The hosts start as marginal favourites for the clash.