Top News

South African young fast bowler Covena Mafaka Pakistan have been ruled out of all the limited overs matches of the tour and the only T20 match against Namibia. This injury was caused by a hamstring tear in a recent home match. The 19-year-old player will be away from the field for about four weeks. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the inclusion of a new bowler in his place, so that the team remains strong and competitive in the competitions.

The reason behind the absence of South African fast bowler Kwena Mafaka

Mafaka suffered a hamstring injury while playing for the Lions in a four-day home match against Western Province at Newlands last week. He bowled only 5.5 overs in the first innings and then had to leave the field due to pain. Initial investigation found no major injuries, so he returned in the second innings and took 3 wickets for 26 runs in ten overs. But subsequent intensive testing revealed that the injury was a Grade 1-2 hamstring strain and required four weeks of mandatory rehabilitation. Due to this, Mafaka will be out of the only T20 against Namibia and all the limited overs matches of the Pakistan tour.

This is a big blow for the team, as Mafaka has taken 15 wickets in 13 T20 matches and five wickets in three ODIs. His fast bowling was considered an important weapon for the team.

This player joins the team in place of Kwena Mafaka for the limited overs tour of Pakistan

Following the injury to Kwena Mafaka, Cricket South Africa immediately included Otniel Baartman as his replacement in fast bowling. Bartman will play in the team for the one-off T20 match against Namibia on 11 October. Apart from this, he has also been selected for the three-match T20 series against Pakistan later this month. This is a good opportunity for the experienced domestic player to showcase his ability on the international stage. Another change has been made in the team. Lizaad Williams, who was already in the T20 team, has now become a part of the ODI team as well. The team has a very busy schedule. The Pakistan tour will begin with two Test matches from October 12, followed by three T20 matches from October 28 and end with a three-match ODI series till November 8. The first match of the tour will be a one-off T20 match against Namibia.

South Africa’s updated squad for Namibia T20I

Donovan Ferreira (captain), Nandre Berger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuyn, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Harman, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nakaba Peter, Luan-Dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Lizaad Williams, Otniel Baartman.

South Africa’s updated squad for Pakistan T20 Internationals

David Miller (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brewis, Nandre Berger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Luan-Dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams, Otniel Baartman.

Changes in South Africa’s team for the ODI series against Pakistan

Matthew Britzke (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brewis, Nandre Berger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony De Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuyn, George Linde, Lizard Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Nkaba Peter, Luan-Dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Keshile.