Why are Hasan Ali and Kagiso Rabada not playing in ICC World Cup 2023, match 26 between Pakistan and South Africa?

Pakistan and South Africa are set to face each other at Chepauk on Friday, October 27 in a crucial ODI World Cup 2023 encounter.

Ahead of the clash, the two captains mentioned a plethora of changes to their playing XIs as Hasan Ali and Usama Mir were left out of the squad as Mohammad Wasim Jr and Mohammad Nawaz returned to the side. Pacer Hasan was ruled out of this clash due to fever while South Africa's regular captain Temba Bavuma returned to the playing XI after missing a couple of games.

Tabraiz Shamsi and Lungi Ngidi were also back in the side as Reeza Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada, and Lizaad Williams were excluded. As per an update from Cricket South Africa (CSA), Rabada was ruled out of this tie as a precautionary measure owing to a lower back spasm. "Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out for today's match as a precautionary measure due to a lower back spasm," a CSA statement read.

Rabada and Hasan Ali have been in fine form in the tournament thus far. The former has picked up 10 wickets in five games whereas the Pakistan pacer has picked eight wickets in five.

What did the captains say at the toss?

Babar Azam decided to bat first after winning the toss and said that every match is crucial from this point and there is room for improvement in all departments, especially fielding. Bavuma stated that he would have batted first as well. South Africa have won four out of the five matches they have played but the diminutive cricketer stressed the importance of continuing to do well.

"We'll bat first. Every match is important now and we are focusing on that. All departments we need to improve, fielding especially. We need to stick together and discuss how to get better. I'm happy to do well myself now. Two changes - Hasan Ali is sick, so Waseem Jr comes in. Nawaz is also back, Usama Mir misses out," said Babar Azam.

Bavuma said: "We've played some good cricket, inspirational performances. We've build some momentum with our bowlers and batters clicking. This is not like a T20 WC where you play just 4-5 group games, we need to keep doing well. I would have surely batted here, looks like a good wicket. Hopefully it stays nice and hard like this, we'll have to assess quickly on how to go about things here. Three changes - I come back, Tabriz Shamsi and Ngidi comes in. Reeza Hendricks, Rabada and Lizaad Williams miss out."

Pakistan (Playing XI): Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi