ZCZC
BSP-14
CRICKET-RSA-PAK-TOSS
Pakistan win toss and bat in 1st Test
CENTURION, South Africa, Dec 26, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Pakistan won the toss
and decided to bat in the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park
on Wednesday.
“They are lovely conditions,” said Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed, “But
the first hour is very important. (Playing in South Africa is) a great
challenge but we have to play positive cricket here.”
South African captain Faf du Plessis said he also would have batted. “The
first hour can be tricky. You look at the grass and think you have to bowl
first but with the heat the cracks will open up later in the game.”
Play was due to get under way on a well-grassed pitch on a hot day with
the temperature expected to reach 36 degrees.
Teams:
South African: Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim
Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Keshav Maharaj,
Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Duanne Olivier
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain/wkt), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Shan
Masood, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Hasan
Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS), Sundaram Ravi (IND)
TV umpire: Joel Wilson (WIN)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1527 hrs