Markram To Captain South Africa As Bavuma Misses Pakistan Tests

Aiden Markram will captain South Africa as they start defending their World Test Championship title with a two-match series in Pakistan next month. Regular skipper Temba Bavuma will miss the series while recovering from a grade two left calf strain suffered during the recent England tour. Markram will step in to lead the side in his absence.

Quinton De Kock Returns

For the limited-overs matches, South Africa will welcome back Quinton de Kock, who has ended his ODI retirement. The wicket-keeper had retired from 50-over cricket after the 2023 World Cup and has not played a T20I since last year’s T20 World Cup final in Barbados. His return is seen as a major boost for the team.

Spinners Make Comeback

The Test squad also includes the return of Simon Harmer, who last played for South Africa in March 2023. He will be joined by spinners Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen. Keshav Maharaj will play only in the second Test as he continues rehabilitation for a left groin strain. Coach Shukri Conrad expressed confidence in the squad despite Bavuma’s absence, noting that many players have experience in subcontinent conditions.

White-Ball Leadership Changes

Barring Corbin Bosch and Dewald Brevis, most all-format players selected for the Test series will rest during the white-ball tour, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs. David Miller will captain the T20I side, while Matthew Breetzke, in good form, will lead the ODI team. For the one-off T20I against Namibia on October 11, Donovan Ferreira has been named captain, marking a key milestone in his career.

Young Players Get Chance

Ferreira has also earned his first ODI call-up, alongside Sinethemba Qeshile. Rivaldo Moonsamy has been named in the Namibia T20I squad. Coach Conrad highlighted the potential of these young players and their ability to step up in international matches.

Team Preparations

The Test squad will attend a two-day training camp in Pretoria on October 5 and 6 before flying to Lahore on October 7. The first Test will start on October 12. The series will test South Africa’s adaptability in subcontinent conditions, with experienced and new players working together.

Test Squad vs Pakistan

Aiden Markram (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj* , Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne
*Second Test only

T20I Squad vs 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, Lizaad Williams

ODI Squad vs 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, Sinethemba Qeshile

T20I Squad vs Namibia

Donovan Ferreira (captain), 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, Lizaad Williams