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PAK vs SA Toss Update | Babar Azam Opts To Bat; South Africa 'Drop' Kagiso Rabada

image-lo8bzuyxPakistan will bat first vs SA in Chennai [AP]

In a significant development, Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first in the all-important World Cup clash against South Africa in Chennai. Pakistan have made two changes, replacing Hasan Ali and Usama Mir with Mohammad Wasim Jr and Mohammad Nawaz, respectively. 

Meanwhile, regular skipper Temba Bavuma is back in the South African playing XI, replacing Reeza Hendricks, who took the field in the last two games. In an unfortunate event, the Proteas have rested Kagiso Rabada, as he has sustained a lower back spasm. 

At toss, Pakistani skipper Babar Azam said, 

"We will bat first. Yes, every match is important. We will try to play well and put runs on the board. We will try to utilise the pitch well. We need to improve in all the departments. Especially in the fielding. Yes, I will try to try to score runs again. I am feeling happy with my last game performance. We have two changes. Hasan Ali, unfortunately, misses out due to illness, and Mohammad Wasim Jr comes in. Nawaz comes in for Usama Mir."

Meanwhile, Babar's counterpart Temba Bavuma spoke on his recovery and stated, 

"Feeling well. We have played some good cricket. Inspirational performances from the guys. Batting has been near to perfect and is been backed by some good bowling. We have done well so far and we just have to make sure that we keep performing at a same pace going ahead in the competition. I would have definitely batted first. The wicket looks hard and it might skid a bit under lights. With the bowl, we have to step up and take the responsibility."

South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (vc), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi

Pakistan Playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan (vc), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf