Dale Steyn questioned why big names are missing from the T20I squad named by the Cricket South Africa for the upcoming series against Pakistan. CSA also named the ODI squad to play against Pakistan as well.
The players will gather in Pretoria on March 27, and the series of three ODIs and four T20Is will be staged from April 2 to 16.
Of the 10 South Africans who are due to play in cricket's biggest tournament, five are in the ODI squad that will precede the T20Is. The five are not in the T20I squad because that rubber is likely to clash with the IPL.
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A CSA release on Thursday (March 18) announcing the squads dismissed the issue glibly: "In terms of an agreement between CSA and the BCCI, those players awarded IPL contracts will be released early to join their respective teams."
The five players are Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller, and Anrich Nortje, all of whom would have been obvious selections in the T20I squad.
One big name missing from either squad is that of experienced Faf du Plessis. Fast bowlers Sisanda Magala and Lizaad Williams have been named in both squads, and allrounder Wihan Lubbe and fast bowler Migael Pretorius are in the T20I group.
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Also picked was Kyle Verreynne who has played 3 ODIs, but yet to play T20Is for South Africa. Wiaan Mulder and Aiden Markram, who last played white-ball cricket for South Africa in March and July 2019, are in the ODI squad. As is Daryn Dupavillon, who played his only ODI to date in March last year.
The series will mark the first time Temba Bavuma is at the wheel since being appointed South Africa's white-ball captain on March 4.
Meanwhile, Dale Steyn tweeted, raising the question why the big name South Africa players are not playing in the T20Is against Pakistan.
“I missed the reason why our big dogs aren’t playing the T20s against Pak?” Steyn tweeted.
South Africa ODI squad:
Temba Bavuma (C), Quinton de Kock (wk), Beuran Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts, Rassie van der Dussen, Junior Dala, Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Mulder, Sisanda Magala, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Lizaad Williams.a
South Africa T20 squad:
Temba Bavuma (C), Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Rassie van der Dussen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Pite van Biljon, Migael Pretorius, Lizaad Williams, Wihan Lubbe.
