WTC 2025 Finalists South Africa Ask Naseem Shah-Less Pakistan To Bowl First In 2nd Test

PAKvsSA-(Source:@Johns/X.com)

In the 2nd Test between South Africa and Pakistan at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, the hosts have won the toss and opted to bat first. The Proteas are leading the series 1-0 after a narrow two-wicket win in the first Test to qualify for WTC 2025 final. 

For the 2nd match, both teams have already announced the playing XI. South Africa have made three changes as Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder and Kwena Maphaka come in place for Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi and Dane Paterson. 

For Pakistan, the Shan Masood-led side have made just one change and that is to bring in Mir Hamza for Naseem Shah. 

PAK vs SA 2nd Test: Playing XI

Pakistan Playing XI: Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Aamir Jamal, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas

South Africa Playing XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka

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PAK vs SA 2nd Test: Captains' Thoughts

Shan Masood (Pakistan Captain): "We wanted to bowl, so what's that we wanted. It's another opportunity to achieve our goals. A lot of things went right in the last game, good performances from the team and good individual performances as well. We have made one change - Naseem Shah is resting, Mir Hamza comes in."

Temba Bavuma (South Africa Captain): "We will bat first. It's hot and we expect the wicket to break a bit and favour the spinners. We've had time to wrap around what we've done (on qualifying for the WTC Final), and the preparations for this Test have been the priority."

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