Shoaib Malik, Hasan Ali dropped from playing XI against South Africa

By
Abdul Majid Bhatti
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Shoaib Malik and Hassan Ali are likely to be dropped from Pakistan's playing XI against South Africa. Photo: File 
 

LONDON: Shoaib Malik and Hasan Ali have been dropped from Pakistan's playing XI against South Africa today. 

Haris Sohail and Shaheen Shah Afridi have replaced them. 

Malik, 38 who announced he will retire from white-ball cricket at the end of the World Cup has twice been out for a duck and eight in his last three innings and has failed to make a mark and contribute to the team.

Sohail who scored two centuries against Australia in the United Arab Emirates has replaced Malik in the middle-order.

In the bowling department, Ali who was the star for Pakistan during the 2017 Champions Trophy in England has failed to impress with the ball. 

The 24-year-old has just picked two wickets in his last three matches of the tournament. Ali has been replaced by Afridi in the playing XI against the Proteas. 

Pakistan vs South Africa - live score updates

For Pakistan, today's match against South Africa is a must win, if they want to keep their chances of making into the next round of the tournament alive. 

The green shirts currently sit on the ninth spot with three points from five games and need to win all four of their remaining matches in the tournament.  

Pakistan face South Africa at Lord's on Sunday.