South Africa suffered a major setback ahead of the second T20I against Pakistan as fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the ongoing series as well as the upcoming ODI series.
The 31-year-old pacer did not participate in the first T20I, which South Africa won by 11 runs, due to a contusion to his left big toe.
He suffered the injury during a pre-match practice session and later scans confirmed that it was a fracture, sidelining him for the remainder of the series.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has named uncapped all-rounder Dayyaan Galiem as the Nortje’s replacement for the remaining two T20Is against Pakistan.
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It’s worth noting that the South African cricket camp has recently encountered significant challenges due to fitness concerns surrounding several key players.
Aside from Anrich Nortje, the team is grappling with the absence of fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee, who is dealing with a groin injury, Nandre Burger, facing complications from a stress fracture in his lower back, and Lungi Ngidi, who is sidelined due to a hip issue.
Moreover, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who sustained a fractured finger during the first Test match against Sri Lanka, has also been ruled out.
The second T20I of the three-match series will be played in Centurion later today, while the series will culminate with the final T20I in Johannesburg tomorrow.
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After wrapping up the T20I series, Pakistan and South Africa will play a three-match ODI series.
The opening ODI will take place on December 17 in Paarl, while the second and third ODIs will be played in Cape Town and Johannesburg on December 19 and 22 respectively.
Pakistan and South Africa will then engage in a two-match Test series, which will kick off in Centurion on December 26, meanwhile, the second Test will start from January 3 in Cape Town.
South Africa’s white-ball Squads
T20I: Heinrich Klaasen (c), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Dayyaan Galiem, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Simelane, and Rassie van der Dussen.
ODIs: Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen
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