Keshav Maharaj OUT South Africa vs Pakistan; named replacement
South African spinner Keshav Maharaj will miss the rest of the three-match ODI series against Pakistan due to injury. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed the absence of Keshav Maharaj and included left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin for the next two matches against Pakistan at home.
Keshav Maharaj suffered a groin strain during the warm-ups of the ODI series. He was then ruled out of the series opener and had to be dropped from the team sheet just before the draw for the first ODI in Paarl on Tuesday. The spinner underwent further scans on Wednesday to assess the severity of the injury.
Keshav Maharaj ruled out for rest of ODI series against Pakistan
On Thursday, Cricket South Africa confirmed that Keshav Maharaj will miss the rest of the ODI series against Pakistan. Scans revealed he had suffered a left adductor strain.
“Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out for the remainder of the One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan after scans revealed a left adductor strain,” Cricket South Africa said in a statement.
TEAM UPDATE
Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out for the remainder of the One-Day International (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… pic.twitter.com/YTg8XFGchc
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 19, 2024
South Africa included him in two crucial matches at home in their final series of the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle despite his injury. The Proteas currently lead the rankings with a PCT of 63,330. Senuran Muthusamy is the only other spinner in the squad.
South Africa need to win one of their remaining two matches to secure a place in the WTC 2025 final at Lord’s in June next year. The first Test match will begin at SuperSport Park, Centurion on December 26.
Bjorn Fortuin named as a substitute for the final two ODIs against Pakistan
Cricket South Africa stated that Keshav Maharaj will return to Durban for rehabilitation and will be reassessed ahead of the first Test against Pakistan. The selectors named Bjorn Fortuin as his replacement for the last two ODIs.
“He will return home to Durban for rehabilitation and will be reassessed ahead of the first Test against Pakistan. Bjorn Fortuin has been named as his replacement for the final two ODIs,” the statement added.
Bjorn Fortuin last played in an ODI against Ireland in October. The left-arm spinner has taken 13 wickets in 11 matches, at an average of 29.85 and an economy rate of 4.83.
South Africa’s updated ODI squad for Pakistan series
Temba Bavuma (Captain), Ottneil Baartman, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (Wicketkeeper), Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, van der Dussen.
The Mohammad Rizwan-led team leads the ODI series 1-0 after winning the first match of the series. Saim Ayub scored a brilliant hundred, and Salman Agha contributed with bat and ball to help the team to victory. The second ODI is scheduled to be played in Cape Town on Thursday 19 December.
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