Nortje To Miss ODI & T20I Series vs Pakistan; Rabada Returns

South African speedster Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I series, and the following ODI series against Pakistan due to a contusion in his left big toe during the practice sessions ahead of the first game. The scans have revealed that Nortje has a fracture on his toe.

All-rounder Dayyaan Galiem has been named as the replacement for Nortje. The uncapped bowler has scalped 46 wickets so far in his 60-game T20 career.

Nortje hasn't represented the Proteas since the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final this year where South Africa agonizingly lost to India by 7 runs. Nortje picked the highest amount of wickets for South Africa (15) in the World Cup. Nortje had also declined a national contract to manage his workload.

Nortje becomes the fifth bowler on the list who is out due to injury. Gerald Coetze is out with a groin injury, Nandre Burger is out with a lower back stress fracture, Lungi Ngidi has a hip injury, and Wiaan Mulder is ruled out due to a finger fracture.

Amidst all the gloom for South Africa, there is finally some positive news with Kagiso Rabada coming back for the ODI leg of the tour.

Star pacer Kagiso Rabada has been named in the South African ODI setup for the ODI series against Pakistan for the 3-match series. Rabada last played an ODI for South Africa was the Semi-Final against Australia at the Eden Gardens in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

South Africa has also rewarded left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka in the 15-member with an ODI cap, the 18-year-old recently made his T20I debut against Pakistan. Maphaka picked up 21 wickets in the ICC U-19 World Cup for South Africa. Marco Jansen, Ottiniel Baartman & Andile Phelukwayo are the pace bowling options that South Africa has.

The squad that will be led by Temba Bavuma also sees the return of Heinrich Klaasen & David Miller, who last played an ODI in December 2023 against India. Veteran Spin twins Tabraiz Shami & Keshav Maharaj have also made their way back into the ODI setup. The spin duo last played an ODI game for SA was also against team India in December 2023. The South African team has most of their frontline players for this series as the Proteas build towards the upcoming champions trophy in Pakistan.

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen

Head Coach Rob Walter Speaks On The Squad

"we have named the best possible squad, a squad where each and every individual is a match winner & can win you games from every situation, I am very excited to see this squad play this squad together," said white-ball head coach Rob Walter.

"The bowling lineup features Kagiso Rabada one of the best in the business, this series also offers a first-hand experience to Kwena who is just bursting onto the International scene, we are also thrilled to welcome our dynamic batting duo of Heinrich & David back into the setup".

"on an overall basis we are quite pleased with our squad, this series will help us fine-tune ourselves for the champions trophy next year, we are excited for the challenge" added Walter.

South Africa's three ODIs against Pakistan will be played on December 17, 19, and 22. Paarl, Cape Town, and Johannesburg will host the matches respectively. The third match will be South Africa's annual Pink Day ODI.

South Africa's ODI Schedule

1st ODI (December 17): South Africa vs Pakistan, Paarl 5:30 PM
2nd ODI(December 19): South Africa vs Pakistan, Cape Town 5:30 PM
3rd ODI (December 22): South Africa vs Pakistan, Joburg 5:30 PM