South Africa suffer major blow ahead of series against Pakistan

South Africa has faced a significant setback ahead of their upcoming home series against Pakistan, as fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out due to a groin injury.

Lungi Ngidi, who has not played any cricket since the ODI series against Ireland last month, recently underwent a thorough medical evaluation.

This assessment is part of his planned conditioning phase, during which imaging scans were performed and revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy, a condition affecting the muscles in his groin area.

He will embark on a comprehensive rehabilitation program aimed at restoring his fitness and is expected to make his return to the field sometime in January.

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Cricket South Africa (CSA) released an official statement earlier today, announcing that Nigidi would not be part of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka and the all-format home series against Pakistan.

“Proteas Men’s fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, as well as the all-format tour against Pakistan, due to a groin injury,” the statement stated.

“The 28-year-old recently underwent a medical assessment as part of his structured conditioning period, during which scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy. He will now begin a rehabilitation programme and is expected to return to play in January.”

Schedule of Pakistan’s tour to South Africa

T20I series:

10 December: First T20I, Durban
13 December: Second T20I, Centurion
14 December: Third T20I, Johannesburg

ODI series:

17 December: First ODI, Paarl
19 December: Second ODI, Cape Town
22 December: Third ODI, Johannesburg

Test series:

26-30 December: First Test, Centurion
3-7 January: Second Test, Cape Town

READ: Mohammad Rizwan opens up on Amir, Imad’s absence from T20I squad