Geo436.com blog: Pakistan win toss, elect to bat against Proteas

Geo 436 ABU DHABI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and decided to bat in the first Twenty20 match against South Africa at the Abu Dhabi Stadium here on Tuesday.

Pakistan recalled 36-year-old batsman Misbah-ul-Haq for the veteran”s first match since being dropped after the World Twenty20 in May this year.

South Africa received a boost when fast bowler Morne Morkel recovered from an ankle injuiry and was included in the eleven, but allrounder Jacques Kallis and fast bowler Dale Steyn remained on the sidelines due to injury.

This is Pakistan”s home series shifted to the United Arab Emirates because of security fears.

The two teams play the second Twenty20 on Wednesday before playing five one-day internationals and two Tests.

Teams:
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Shahzaib Hasan, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Zulqarnain Haider, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar

South Africa: Johan Botha (captain), Graeme Smith, Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Umpires: Ahsan Raza (PAK) and Asad Rauf (PAK), Tv Umpire: Nadeem Ghouri (PAK)
Match Referee: Andrew Pycroft (ZIM)