Keshav Maharaj to Sit Out Remaining ODIs Against Pakistan
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Cape Town, Dec 19 (NationPress) South Africa's spinner Keshav Maharaj has been sidelined for the rest of the ODI series against Pakistan following a left adductor strain.
Maharaj sustained the injury during warm-up sessions before the first ODI in Paarl on Tuesday. He has been substituted by pace-bowling all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo in South Africa's playing XI.
He will head back to Durban for rehabilitation, while Bjorn Fortuin has been appointed as his replacement for the last two ODIs against Pakistan, which are set to take place on Thursday and Sunday in Cape Town and Johannesburg, respectively.
"Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out for the remainder of the ODI series against Pakistan after scans revealed a left adductor strain. He will return home to Durban for rehabilitation and will be reassessed ahead of the first Test against Pakistan," Cricket South Africa stated in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
"Bjorn Fortuin has been named as his replacement for the final two ODIs," it continued.
Maharaj's injury contributes to South Africa's increasing list of unavailable bowlers, already missing Anrich Nortje (fractured toe), Gerald Coetzee (groin), Lungi Ngidi (hip), Nandre Burger (lower back), and Wiaan Mulder (broken finger). Recently, Maharaj played a crucial role in South Africa's victory against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha, taking 5 for 76 to trigger a batting collapse.
In his absence, South Africa may rely on spin-bowling options Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy for the Test series against Pakistan.
Other candidates include batting all-rounder Neil Brand, who bowls left-arm spin and was part of the tour to New Zealand earlier this year; legspinner Shaun von Berg, who made his debut on that tour; and left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, although his last first-class appearance was in 2021.
The first Test of the two-match series against Pakistan is scheduled to commence in Centurion on December 26. South Africa, currently ranked No. 1 on the World Test Championship points table, requires one more victory to secure a place in the final.
