South Africa unveils squads for Pakistan tour

CAPE TOWN: South Africa has announced its squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan on Monday.

South African cricket team Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the Pakistan tour, while Quinton de Kock is set to make a grand return to the national team.

According to media reports, Temba Bavuma, who suffered a calf injury during the recent tour of England, will continue his rehabilitation.

In his absence, Aiden Markram will lead the team while in-form Lions batsman Hamza has been recalled to the Test squad.

The South African squad faces further difficulties as left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj will only be available for the second Test.

That is why 36-year-old off-spinner Simon Harmer has been surprisingly included in the squad, who will represent South Africa for the first time since March 2023.

The series will be the first leg of South Africa’s defence of their World Test Championship title. Aiden Markram will lead South Africa against Pakistan.

He is joined by spinners Senuran Muthussamy and Prenellen Subrian, whose bowling action was cleared by the ICC after the recent tour of Australia.

National selection committee chairman Patrick Moroney has surprised everyone with the return of senior wicketkeeper-batsman Batsman de Kock.

The 32-year-old had announced his retirement from ODI cricket after the 2023 World Cup semi-final defeat to Australia.

He has not represented South Africa in the shorter format since playing against India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados.

Additionally, Donovan Ferreira and Warriors wicketkeeper Sunitamba Keshele have been included in the ODI squad for the first time, while Titans batsman Rivaldo Monsa May has been included in the T20 squad that will face Namibia.

Zubair Hamza has been included in South Africa’s Test squad against Pakistan.

Series Schedule

Pakistan is playing its first series against South Africa in the World Test Championship, with the first Test scheduled to start in Lahore on October 12 and the second Test scheduled to start in Rawalpindi on October 20.

The Test series against South Africa will be followed by a series of 3 T20 matches, the first of which will be played in Pindi on October 28, while the remaining 2 matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on October 31 and November 1.

After the T20 International matches, 3 ODI matches will be played on November 4, 6 and 8 in Faisalabad.