In the Mega Event, Pakistan's national team wicketkeeper, Mohammad Rizwan, became the top-scoring Pakistani wicketkeeper, surpassing former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. Mohammad Rizwan is playing in his first World Cup and has scored 333 runs in 6 innings with an average of 66.60, including one century and one half-century.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, the previous captain, was the most successful Pakistani wicketkeeper, with 303 runs in 11 World Cup innings, averaging 43.29. Meanwhile, Moin Khan scored 286 runs with an average of 28.60 in 14 World Cup innings, and Kamran Akmal is in fourth place with 249 runs scored at an average of 27.66.
In the match played at Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, decided to bat first after winning the toss. He mentioned that the team would strive to set a big target against Proteas and achieve success with a new spirit in the tournament. He also announced two changes in the team, with Mohammad Wasim Junior replacing Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz playing instead of Asif Ali.
On this occasion, South African team captain Temba Bavuma stated that Pakistan is a strong opponent, and they aim to illuminate their hopes of reaching the semi-finals by achieving success in the match.
Pakistan's squad includes Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf, while South Africa's squad consists of Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Lungi Ngidi.