South Africa vs Pakistan
Pakistan cricket team is currently on tour to South Africa and is playing a 3-match T20I series. After losing the first T20I, Pakistan team will face host South Africa in the second T20I on 13 December. Before this match, the South African team has suffered a big setback. Fast bowler Enrique Norkhia has been ruled out of the T20I series being played against Pakistan. Apart from the T20I series, Norkhia has also been ruled out of the three-match ODI series. All-rounder Dayan Galim has been included in the team as his replacement for Norkhia.
Norkhia, 31, had to sit out the opening T20I match after he injured his left toe during training before the match. The scan done after this revealed that the bowler had a fracture in the big toe of his left foot. In this way, the return of fast bowling has been dealt a major blow. Norkhia has not played for South Africa since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in June this year. He is also out of South Africa’s national contract due to workload management.
Team announced for ODI series
After Norkhia’s exit from the T20I and ODI series, South Africa has also announced its team for the 50-over series against Pakistan. 15 players have been selected for the ODI series. The ODI series will be played from 17-22 December. Fast bowler Kwena Mafaka has been included in the ODI team for the first time. The 18-year-old, who is already playing T20 Internationals, took 21 wickets at an average of 9.71 and was named Player of the Tournament in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup earlier this year.
Command will be in the hands of Temba Bavuma
Kagiso Rabada also returns to the ODI team for the first time since the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final against Australia in November. Apart from fast bowler Otniel Bartman, the team also includes all-rounders Marco Jansson and Andile Phehlukwayo. The Temba Bavuma-led team has been strengthened by the return of David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, who last played in an ODI against India in December 2023. Was. The 3-match ODI series will begin on Tuesday, December 17 at Boland Park, Paarl. The second ODI will take place on Thursday, December 19 at World Sports Betting Newlands. The third ODI will be played on Sunday, December 22 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. This ODI series will be very important for the preparation before next year’s ICC Champions Trophy.
South Africa’s ODI team against Pakistan: Temba Bavuma (captain), Otniel Bartman, Tony De Jorgi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Mfaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen. .
