South Africa have selected their strongest available squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan in a bid to make the most of their last opportunity to play together before next year’s Champions Trophy.
Although South Africa will play a tri-series in Pakistan in February next year, also involving New Zealand, these matches will be too close to the conclusion of the SA20 on 8 February for a first-choice team to be available.
Two seam-bowling all-rounders in Andile Phehlukwayo and Marco Jensen have been selected, while another specialist seamer, Otniel Baartman, and two frontline spinners – Maharaj and Shamsi – have come at the expense of Bjorn Fortuyn and Nqaba Peter. Shamsi’s return is significant as he opted out of the national contract in October for flexibility in league performances and was not included in the T20I series to play in India last month. He has since been recalled for the Pakistan matches.
Bavuma, De Zorzi, Jansen, Maharaj, Markram, Rabada, Stubbs and Rickelton will get a four-day turnaround between the end of the ODI series and the start of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. South Africa need another Test win to book a place in next year’s World Test Championship final.
South Africa team for ODI series against Pakistan
Temba Bavuma (captain), Otniel Bartman, Tony De Zorzi, Marco Jensen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Mafaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der dusen
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