New Delhi, Sep 22 (NationPress) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma has been excluded from the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan due to his recovery from a grade two left calf strain he suffered during the England tour. In his place, Aiden Markram will take the helm of the Test team.

Bavuma will be unavailable for six to eight weeks, as he aims to be fully fit for the tour of India in November. Spinner Simon Harmer has made a return to the Test squad for the first time since March 2023, joining fellow spinners Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayan.

Keshav Maharaj has been selected for the second Test only, as he approaches full recovery from a left groin strain.

The Test squad will gather for a two-day camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria on October 5 and 6, before departing for Lahore from OR Tambo International Airport on October 7.

“We are, of course, disappointed to be without Temba. He has been an essential leader and batsman for us, and his absence will be felt. Nonetheless, most of the Test squad has experience playing in the subcontinent and understands the challenges it presents, so I am confident they will rise to the occasion,” said head coach Shukri Conrad.

“Touring Pakistan is always a challenge, and with anticipated spin-friendly conditions, having an experienced player like Simon in the squad for extra spin depth is crucial,” he added.

In an unexpected development, wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has reversed his ODI retirement and is included in South Africa’s white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of Pakistan.

De Kock had initially retired from ODIs following South Africa’s exit in the 2023 World Cup semi-finals in India. He is now set to return to this format and will also make his comeback to the T20I setup for the first time since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final against India.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) reported that de Kock expressed a desire to represent the Proteas in both white-ball formats. “Quinton’s return is a significant boost for us. When we discussed his future last month, it was evident he still has a strong ambition to represent his country. His quality is well-known, and his presence will only benefit the team,” Conrad stated.

South Africa is set to play three T20Is in Pakistan from October 28 to November 1, followed by three ODIs from November 4 to 8. David Miller will lead the T20I squad, while Matthew Breetzke will captain the ODI series. All-format players, except Corbin Bosch and Dewald Brevis, will be rested for the white-ball segment of the Pakistan tour.

Additionally, South Africa has provided maiden call-ups to allrounder Donovan Ferreira and wicketkeeper Sinethemba Qeshile for the ODI leg of the Pakistan tour, and Rivaldo Moonsamy has been included in the T20I squad to face Namibia.

The T20I against Namibia will be the first limited-overs international between the two teams and serves as the official inauguration of the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, a host venue for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

With the T20I against Namibia scheduled for a day prior to the first Test against Pakistan in Lahore on October 12, South Africa will be led by Ferreira. Notably, left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and pacer Anrich Nortje are absent, having opted out of national contracts.

“Matthew has really come into his own in the 50-over format and has led SA A and the Warriors previously. I have no doubt he’ll bring the same character and composure to the ODI side,” Conrad remarked.

“During the T20I series against England, I was impressed by Donovan’s maturity, understanding of the game, and his ability to connect with younger players. His appointment as captain for the T20I against Namibia presents an exciting challenge and will enhance his development as a cricketer,” he concluded.

South Africa's squad for Tests in Pakistan: Aiden Markram (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (second Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, and Kyle Verreynne.

South Africa's squad for T20Is in Pakistan: David Miller (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, and Lizaad Williams.

South Africa's squad for ODIs against Pakistan: Matthew Breetzke (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Sinethemba Qeshile.

South Africa's squad for Namibia T20I: Donovan Ferreira (capt), Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, and Lizaad Williams.