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Pakistan decide to bowl first against South Africa in opening ODI
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first in the first one-day international (ODI) of a three-match series against South Africa at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Tuesday.
Pakistan skipper Shaheen Afridi said the decision was influenced by the freshness of the wicket and the long interval since Faisalabad last hosted an ODI.
South Africa captain Matthew Breetzke said that the surface appeared dry, predicting dew would impact play later in the evening.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke (c), Sinethemba Qeshile, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, and Lizaad Williams.
The three-match ODI series is a part of the Proteas tour of Pakistan, featuring an all-format series. The two-match Test series was shared by both teams 1-1, while Pakistan won the three-match T20I series 2-1.
With the first ODI, international cricket has returned to Faisalabad after 17 years. The remaining matches will be played on 6 and 8 November at the same venue.
The last international match at the Iqbal Stadium was played on April 11, 2008, when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in an ODI by seven wickets. The historic venue has hosted 16 ODIs to date, including four World Cup matches – one in 1987 and three in 1996.
Pakistan have featured in 12 ODIs at this ground, winning nine and losing three. South Africa, on the other hand, have played five ODIs here, winning two and losing three. Across all ODIs between the two sides, Pakistan and South Africa have met 87 times, with Pakistan winning 34 and South Africa emerging victorious in 52 encounters. In Pakistan, both teams have won eight matches each out of 16.
In Faisalabad, Pakistan and South Africa have contested in three ODIs. Pakistan have won on two occasions (in 1994 and 2007), while South Africa secured victory in one (2003).
Sports
Transfer rumors, news: Napoli ‘aggressively pushing’ for Man United’s Mainoo
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo remains in Napoli‘s sights, while Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur eye Juventus forward Jonathan David. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Napoli are “aggressively” pushing to sign Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on loan in January, as per TEAMtalk. The 20-year-old is targeting regular first-team football in a bid to make Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for next summer’s FIFA World Cup. As such, a loan is the most likely option in January, with the Serie A champions leading the race. Napoli are willing to cover Mainoo’s £45,000-a-week wages in full and could even insert a future purchase option at United’s request.
– Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur are ready to pounce if Juventus sanction Jonathan David‘s exit this winter, according to Sky Sports. The Canada international has struggled to make an impact since swapping Lille for Juve back in the summertime, having scored just once in 11 matches to date. A response is now needed from David, otherwise a “quick exit” in January could be considered by the Serie A giants — with some of Europe’s biggest clubs already circling.
– A deal is “progressing” for Real Madrid forward Endrick to join Lyon on loan in January, Fabrizio Romano reports. Endrick wants to make the move, provided no permanent options are included in the deal. Sources told ESPN last week that Lyon were leading the race to sign the Brazil international, and the Ligue 1 side remain the only club in advanced talks to sign him despite the likes of Aston Villa being linked in recent weeks. Endrick, 19, has played just once in LaLiga so far this season.
– Atalanta midfielder Éderson has been mentioned in Newcastle United recruitment meetings as a potential replacement for Joelinton, The i Paper has reported. Persistent injury issues have led Newcastle to explore future transfer options, although it remains to be seen just how serious their interest in Éderson really is. The 26-year-old is a compatriot of Joelinton, having been capped three times by Brazil’s national team since September 2024.
– Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk “fought until the last minute” to join Real Madrid last summer, Diario AS reports on the day that the two clubs meet at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League. According to the Madrid-based outlet, Van Dijk’s agents made contact with Spanish representatives to try to connect with Madrid, who weren’t interested in a deal. Van Dijk ended up renewing his Liverpool contract in April, with Madrid preferring to pursue other targets — signing Dean Huijsen.
EXPERT TAKE
2:02
How ‘one-paced’ Kobbie Mainoo can improve
Mark Ogden explains the limits to Kobbie Mainoo’s game compared to some of the midfielders higher on ESPN’s 39 best U21 players.
OTHER RUMORS
– Barcelona are keen to sign Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal provided he accepts the Spanish club’s proposed salary. A pay cut may be required for his season-long loan to be extended, as Barça have an option to sign him next summer for up to 35 million. (talkSPORT)
– Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read is high on Bayern Munich’s shortlist for the summer of 2026. The 19-year-old is viewed as a potential long-term option behind Konrad Laimer, and could be available for around €25 million. (Sky Germany)
– Augsburg striker Phillip Tietz could leave the Bundesliga club in January with a host of MLS sides keen on signing him. (Sky Germany)
– Southampton have agreed a deal to bring Oriol Romeu back to the club. Medical tests are expected to take place, with a contract until the summer of 2026 on the table. (Fabrizio Romano)
– West Ham United are stepping up their efforts to sign a striker after Niclas Füllkrug‘s agent suggested his client could leave the Premier League club in January. (TEAMtalk)
– Manchester United see “no future” for Jadon Sancho at the club after his early season struggles at Aston Villa. (Football Insider)
– AC Milan, Atalanta, Roma and Internazionale are monitoring Hellas Verona striker Giovane. (Nicolò Schira)
– Chicago Fire are finalizing a deal to sign AIK midfielder Anton Salétros in January. (Tom Bogert)
– Paris Saint-Germain have added Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Aleksey Batrakov to their summer shortlist. (Ekrem Konur)
– Internazionale are considering a swoop for Udinese defender Oumar Solet. (Ekrem Konur)
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Max Scherzer gave the Blue Jays all he had. They helped keep him going.
The future Hall of Famer wasn’t sure he could continue pitching at his lowest points this spring. He ended up starting Game 7 of the World Series.
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Alexander-Arnold writes tribute note to Jota
Trent Alexander-Arnold made a tribute to Diogo Jota outside Anfield on Monday night.
Alexander-Arnold and his Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso laid flowers in memory of Jota at the Liverpool stadium before their Champions League clash.
Jota, aged 28, and his brother André, 26, died in July in a tragic car crash in Portugal.
A Real Madrid contingent — including Jota’s former teammate Alexander-Arnold, and ex-Liverpool midfielder Alonso — paid their respects 24 hours before Tuesday night’s match.
Alexander-Arnold wrote a heartbreaking message which read: “My mate Diogo, you are so missed but still so loved.
“Yours and Andre’s memory will always live on.
“I smile every time I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared.
“Miss you mate, every day. Love Trent and family. Forever 20. YNWA.”
Real defender Dean Huijsen and club legend Emilio Butragueno also joined the tribute on Monday.
Liverpool retired the No. 20 in honour of Jota after his death.
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Alexander-Arnold and Jota helped Liverpool win the Premier League, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Community Shield.
Alexander-Arnold makes his return to Anfield play against Liverpool on Tuesday in the Champions League.
Rival right-back Dani Carvahal is injured, but Real also have the option of using Fede Valverde in Alexander-Arnold’s position.
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