HARARE: Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed took the reins for Pakistan as a foot infection forced regular captain Azhar Ali out of Monday's third and decisive one-day international against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club.
The stand-in skipper's first act was to win the toss and elect to bowl first, as the tourists looked to bounce back from a shock defeat in the second ODI on Saturday.
Having sat out of that game as Pakistan gave opportunities to other players, in-form allrounder Imad Wasim was recalled in place of Yasir Shah, while Ahmed Shehzad replaced Ali at the top of the order.
Zimbabwe made two changes, with struggling senior batsman Hamilton Masakadza dropped from the side and legspinner Graeme Cremer ruled out by an ankle injury incurred during Saturday's match.
Malcolm Waller came into the Zimbabwe batting line-up, while Tinotenda Mutombodzi provided a like-for-like replacement for Cremer.
Teams:
Zimbabwe: Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza Butt, Elton Chigumbura (capt), Malcolm Waller, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Luke Jongwe, John Nyumbu, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Tinashe Panyangara.
Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Imad Wasim, Aamer Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan.
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