Johannesburg [South Africa], December 19: South Africa’s left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the remaining two matches of the three-match ODI series against Pakistan due to a left abductor strain he sustained while warming up for the first ODI, as reported by ICC Cricket.
Bjorn Fortuin, the slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has been named as Maharaj’s replacement for the final two ODIs of the series.
According to a statement from Cricket South Africa (CSA), Maharaj will return to Durban for rehabilitation and will be reassessed ahead of the first Test match, which is set to begin on December 26 in Centurion. Maharaj is part of South Africa’s Test squad for the two-match series following the ODI series.
South Africa, currently at the top of the World Test Championship standings, needs a win against Pakistan to secure their place in the WTC final at Lord’s next year.
After losing the three-match T20I series 2-0, Pakistan bounced back to win the first ODI by three wickets. The second ODI will be played in Cape Town on Thursday.
Match Schedule:
- 19 December: 2nd ODI, Cape Town
- 22 December: 3rd ODI, Johannesburg
South Africa Updated ODI Squad:
Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.