South Africa vs Pakistan: CSA announces the 13-man squad for the Test series

Hashim Amla has returned to the team after recovering from an injury.

While Pakistan is fighting against New Zealand in the UAE in the deciding Test match, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has drawn the battle lines. They have announced the 13-man squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan. The series is all set to commence on December 26 at Supersport Park in Centurion and will be hoping to continue their home dominance.

Lungi Ngidi is the major name missing from the line-up as he is nursing a knee injury and has been ruled out of the action for 12 weeks. The 23-year-old Zubayr Hamza has earned his maiden national call-up after averaging close to 49 in 51 first-class matches so far. The youngster will be looking to pounce on the opportunity if, at all, he makes his debut in this series.

Amla returns to the squad

Hashim Amla is fit and raring to go after missing the Australia tour recently. He is looking good in the ongoing Mzansi Super League (MSL) as well and will be keen on making the most of the home series. Duanne Olivier has replaced Ngidi in the squad while Faf du Plessis continues to lead the side. South Africa will be playing their first Test since the forgettable Sri Lanka where they were thrashed by the hosts by 2-0.

Dale Steyn continues to be the part of the set-up and Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander along with Olivier are the pacers in the line-up. Keshav Maharaj is the lone spinner given that there won’t be much help for the spinners much like it was during the India series earlier this year.

Apart from three Tests, South Africa will also play 5 ODIs and 3 T20 Internationals on the tour which will conclude on February. Pakistan will also play a three-day warm-up game from December 19 ahead of the Tests and it will be interesting to see if the Proteas get back to the winning ways in the longest format.

South Africa’s Test squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander.

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