Pakistan series: South Africa lose fast bowler Maphaka

Teenage left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has been ruled out of South Africa’s one-off Twenty20 international against Namibia in Windhoek on Saturday and their entire white ball tour to Pakistan after being sidelined with a hamstring strain.

The 19-year-old has been replaced in the squad to face Namibia and the T20 series against Pakistan by seamer Ottneil Baartman. Lizaad Williams is his replacement for the One Day Internationals on the subcontinent.

Maphaka was injured in a domestic four-day fixture last week and subsequent medical assessments indicated a Grade 1-2 injury which will require rehabilitation over the next four weeks.

South Africa play three T20s in Pakistan between October 28-November 1, and three ODIs from November 4-8.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team management decided against recalling Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for the upcoming T20 series against South Africa, reliable sources confirmed on Wednesday.

According to insiders, Salman Ali Agha will continue as the T20 captain, leading the side against the visiting Proteas. The decision reflects the management’s intent to provide continuity and test new combinations ahead of future tournaments.