South Africa chose to bat v Pakistan

Despite the series already being won and the opportunity to test oneself by chasing, which no team has managed to do successfully in the series yet, AB de Villiers opted to bat on a track that is expected to take turn. Having being bundled out for 183 in Sharjah during the first match, de Villiers said the team wants to put right their mistakes there.

There was something different about proceedings though as South Africa decided on a new-look bowling attack for the dead rubber. Dale Steyn, who took career-best figures of 5 for 25 in the previous match was rested, along with Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir, who is the leading wicket-taker in the series so far.

In their places, Vernon Philander was given his first run since being recalled to the one-day squad for this series, Wayne Parnell brought back in and Robin Peterson making his first appearance since being dropped after the Abu Dhabi Test. Ryan McLaren and Lonwabo Tsotsobe are the only constants in the bowling.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq joked that the coin must have heads both sides, because he has failed to win the toss again. He acknowledged batting first would have a significant advantage but said Pakistan's line-up would welcome the challenge. Asad Shafiq will not be part of it. He was dropped for Umar Amin.

Pakistan: 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Sohaib Maqsood 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Umar Amin, 6 Umar Akmal (wk), 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9 Junaid Khan, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Irfan

South Africa: 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk) 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 JP Duminy 5 AB de Villiers (capt), 6 David Miller, 7 Ryan McLaren, 8 Wayne Parnell 10 Vernon Philander, 11 Robin Peterson