South Africa has suffered a major blow ahead of the four-match T20I series against Pakistan as their captain Temba Bavuma was ruled out of the entire series with a hamstring strain on Friday (April 9).
The hosts were recently defeated in the ODI series by Pakistan at home and now the injury to Bavuma has raised concerns of an already depleted South Africa squad ahead of the T20I series starting in Johannesburg on Saturday (April 10). Bavuma suffered the injury while batting in the final ODI.
South Africa is already without its five leading players like Quinton de Kock and David Miller, and Kagiso Rabada, who have been released to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021), and the injury to Bavuma has only further weakened their team against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the experienced batsman Reeza Hendricks has also withdrawn from the Proteas squad after the birth of his first child, while the in-form batsman Rassie van der Dussen is doubtful for the firstT20I against Pakistan with a grade one left quadriceps strain.
Given the circumstances, Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, and Daryn Dupavillon have been added to the South Africa squad for the T20I series against Pakistan at home.
In the absence of injured Bavuma, Heinrich Klaasen will lead South Africa in the T20I series.
Here’s South Africa T20I squad:
Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Bjorn Fortuin, Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Rassie van der Dussen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Wiaan Mulder, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne, Pite van Biljon, Daryn Dupavillon, Migael Pretorius, Lizaad Williams, Wihan Lubbe
(With Reuters Inputs)
