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Pakistan Tri-Series

NZ vs SA: Why Are South Africa Fielding Four Debutants In ODI Against New Zealand In Pakistan Tri-Series?

Updated:3 Mins Read
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The NZ vs SA match of the ongoing tri-series in Pakistan got underway on Monday morning at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

This is the second match of the tri-series in Pakistan. New Zealand won the opening match of the tri-series against the hosts by a big margin of 78 runs a couple of days ago on the back of Glenn Phillips’ sensational century.

The Black Caps would be looking to seal a place in the final of the tri-series with a win over the Proteas. New Zealand start this game as favorites because of the lack of strength in South Africa’s lineup.

South Africa have been forced to field an inexperienced playing XI in the SA vs NZ ODI match in Lahore. Earlier, the Cricket South Africa (CSA) had named six uncapped players in the squad for the New Zealand vs South Africa match, and Temba Bavuma confirmed at the toss that four of them will be making their ODI debuts today.

Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain, won the toss and elected to bowl first, while Bavuma said he would have also liked to bowl first, citing overcast conditions in the morning.

Also Read: Where to watch South Africa vs New Zealand live?

NZ vs SA: Why Are South Africa Fielding Four Debutants Against New Zealand?

In their announced playing XI, South Africa included four ODI debutants—Eathan Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Senuran Muthusamy, and Mihlali Mpongwana. This is because some of their first-choice players are not available for this match, having recently participated in the playoffs stage of the SA20 competition, and some of them are not part of this tri-series due to being rested ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“The real preparation starts when the Champions Trophy guys join us,” Bavuma said at the toss.

The Proteas will be bolstered ahead of their second match of the tri-series against Pakistan when Keshav Maharaj and Heinrich Klaasen join them.

Further, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen will not feature at all in this tri-series as they have been rested after the SA20 tournament and are part of the Champions Trophy squad.

Also read: SA vs NZ live

NZ vs SA playing XIs:

South Africa (Playing XI): Temba Bavuma(c), Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne(w), Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Eathan Bosch, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

New Zealand (Playing XI): Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Ben Sears, William O’Rourke

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