The Proteas have won the toss and will bat first in the opening ODI against Pakistan at St George’s Park.

After South Africa’s resounding 3-0 Test series whitewash, the sides turn their attention to the ODI format as No 4 takes on No 5 in the ICC rankings.

Final preparations for the World Cup now begin in earnest for both teams as they search for their strongest XIs to contest the World Cup in England from May to July.

ALSO READ: Preview: Proteas vs Pakistan (1st ODI)

The balance of the Proteas side is still undecided and selectors remain unsure about the No 3 and No 6 positions in the batting lineup. For this game, the Proteas decided on Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen for the No 3 and No 6 positions respectively.

Having rested Quinton de Kock and Dale Steyn for the first two ODIs, the Proteas opted to hand out two ODI debuts –Van der Dussen and Duanne Olivier.

Reeza Hendricks comes in for Quinton de Kock at the top of the order, while Olivier replaced Dale Steyn.

For Pakistan, Mohammed Hafeez slots in at No 4 after retiring from Test cricket. Shoaib Malik, who never featured for the Test side despite having 35 Tests to his name, was selected at No 5.

Usman Shinwari and Imad Wasim join the ODI side having never played a Test.

South Africa:

1) Hashim Amla
2) Reeza Hendricks
3) Rassie van der Dussen
4) Faf du Plessis
5) David Miller
6) Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
7) Dwaine Pretorius
8) Andile Phehlukwayo
9) Kagiso Rabada
10) Duanne Olivier
11) Imran Tahir

Pakistan 

1) Imam-ul-Haq
2) Fakhar Zaman
3) Babar Azam
4) Mohammad Hafeez
5) Shoaib Malik
6) Sarfaraz Ahmed
7) Shadab Khan
8) Imad Wasim
9) Faheem Ashraf
10) Hasan Ali
11) Usman Khan Shinwari

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images